FIFPro world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo claims to have learned from his selfish ways and no longer tries to beat opponents just for the sake of it.

Five years after his arrival from Sporting Lisbon as a raw teenager, Ronaldo has been confirmed as the best player on the planet.

Although a host of awards are expected to come his way over the next few months, the FIFPro prize is particularly significant because it is the first to recognise his extraordinary achievements last season when he scored 42 goals in Manchester United's charge to Premier League and Champions League glory.

Voted for by players from over 40 countries, it emphasises the widespread appeal of Ronaldo's extraordinary rise and sees him follow in the footsteps of past winners Ronaldinho and Kaka.