Manchester United midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo added another honor to his impressive trophy haul on Monday when he was named winner of the prestigious Ballon d'Or, awarded to the best player in Europe.
Ronaldo (446 points in the voting) easily out-distanced second place finisher Lionel Messi (281 points) and third-place Fernando Torres (179 points). Iker Casillas (133) and Xavi (97) rounded out the Top Five.
Ronaldo added the Ballon d'Or to the FIFPro world player of the year and England's PFA player of the year awards for his 42-goal haul in helping lead Manchester United to EPL and Champions League titles last season.
Here are some other stories to get your day started:
Real target Huntelaar
With an injury crisis threatening to crush their La Liga title dreams, Real Madrid is positioning itself to make a major splash in the January transfer window, with word emerging that the club is in talks with Ajax over a potential January transfer of star Dutch striker Klass-Jan Huntelaar.
Adding Huntelaar would help offset the loss of fellow Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who is out for the season with a torn ACL. It would also likely be just one of several winter acquisitions for a Real Madrid squad that made just one significant summer acquisition in Rafael Van Der Vaart.
Everton eyeing Larsson
With Aiyegbeni Yakubu out for the season with a torn Achilles, young striker James Vaughan set to have season-ending knee surgery and French striker Louis Saha now dealing with a hamstring injury, Everton is in dire need of forward help and could turn to a very familiar face in none other than Celtic legend Henrik Larsson.
The 37-year-old Swedish striker could join the Toffees on a short loan spell similar to the loan deal he joined Manchester United on in 2007.
What do you think of the news? Think Ronaldo was a deserving Ballon d'Or winner? Do you see Huntelaar helping Real Madrid salvage its season? Do you believe Larsson can still be an impact striker in the EPL? Secretly praying Everton and Villarreal agree on a loan deal to send Jozy Altidore to England?
Share your thoughts on these stories, and any other stories from this morning or Monday night in the comments section below.
Ives Galarcep is an American soccer columnist for ESPNsoccernet.com and creator of SoccerByIves.net.
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Could be possible with Larsson, he would want a big payday and is aging fast but is still the captain with the national team, so he will be staying in shape.
Posted by: HenrikSSW | December 02, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Glad to see Torres was no3 and that Xavi,Zlatan David Villa and Gerrard all made the top 10. Would have picked Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Marcos Senna to be in the list as well, top10 i mean.
Posted by: TorresyVilla | December 02, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Thought there's no possibility of loaning out Jozy since he started on the weekend?
Larsson can get it done in the EPL still. If it were for an entire season I may have my doubts.
Ronaldo deserves the Ballon even though he is arrogant.
Posted by: Chad | December 02, 2008 at 10:18 AM
henrik larsson=ghod
one of our best all time.
ynwa henrik
Posted by: sean monaghan | December 02, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Huntelaar would be a vey good fit for Real Madrid and would be a younger, not quite as polished replacement for Ruud. I've been wondering for a couple of years why other big clubs haven't snapped him up yet.
Posted by: Quinaldo | December 02, 2008 at 10:45 AM
No, I want more Americans in La Liga.
Posted by: RK | December 02, 2008 at 10:45 AM
I really think everton will need a better replacement for yakubu.. that guy is a beast.
Posted by: EDB | December 02, 2008 at 10:55 AM
I doubt Larsson will leave Sweden again. He only agreed to join United because it was a "dream" and he was promised he'd only have to stay a couple of months and would not have any further obligation. He's a devoted family man. Still...he's fun to watch.
Posted by: kpugs | December 02, 2008 at 10:57 AM
With Klejstan, Holden, Wynne, Parkhurst, Marshall, Rogers all looking to head out of MLS come next year, my bets on them all heading to Eredivisie or Bundesliga.
Posted by: TorresyVilla | December 02, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Everton should look for a few gems in MLS or Scandinavia. They only need a replacement for Yakubu for the rest of the season. Yakubu will be back hopefully by season end and scoring.
Posted by: kevin | December 02, 2008 at 11:14 AM
I have a feeling if Jozy can keep up his play he might be a nominee for the Special Young Player of the season type award for La Liga. Any attention or accolade is good for him and his playing improvement.
Posted by: IreneIsNotMyGod | December 02, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Huntelaar is awesome. Ajax will hurt if they lose him but money talks. The Hunter is a worthwhile addition for any club. Madrid (aka The Dutch National Team) will be a great fit for him. Hup!
Posted by: Oranje Mike | December 02, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Kevin, what striker gems do we have in MLS? Cooper is untried and would be too much of a gamble to try and incorporate at this level of play and in January. I'd go for tried and proven in the Championship - Kevin Doyle perhaps.
Posted by: beckster | December 02, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Hey Ives,
I just saw somewhere that Spurs are looking to sign Hahnemann away from Reading in January. Do you know if there is any truth to that? That would mean 3 US keepers starting in the EPL with another waiting in the wings...not too shabby.
Posted by: g-loff | December 02, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Hahnemann to Tottenham? This would be frickin amazing. He would get a huge increase in wages, but would he leave Reading? He's a legend there and part of the plan to get them back to the PL.
Posted by: RWB | December 02, 2008 at 03:34 PM
I hate it, but have to agree with beckster - you just can't say MLS is loaded with striker prospects. Doyle could work, he did break double digits with Reading their first year, but he wouldn't exactly get the fans excited.
Hahnemann to Tottenham (say that 3 times fast) would be awesome! Tempting to believe, makes WAY too much sense (except for Reading).
Posted by: eric | December 02, 2008 at 03:54 PM
It's official...Huntelaar is going to Madrid.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=598321&sec=europe&cc=5901
Posted by: Oranje Mike | December 02, 2008 at 05:24 PM
Huntelaar is an amazing player, horribly underrated. I'm surprised he's still in Holland.
Posted by: jloome | December 02, 2008 at 07:57 PM
Henrik I miss you, come join me. We can play XBOX like we used to do all winter. I promise I won't play XBOX in my Kalvin Klein underwear.
Posted by: Freddie Ljungberg | December 02, 2008 at 08:58 PM
hahaha ^^^
nah henrik wont move,hes told old now,it would be poitnless.He alread played for celtic,united and barca,hes a legend.
this brings tears to my eyes =O
Posted by: sean monaghan | December 03, 2008 at 01:35 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCRnPnL1-3I
Posted by: sean monaghan | December 03, 2008 at 01:36 AM
Great to see Cristiano finally being recognized as the world's best. He's earned it.
Posted by: Cool | December 11, 2008 at 12:32 PM