Cristiano Ronaldo was today named as soccer's best player by his peers after scoring 42 goals last season to help Manchester United win the Champions League and Premier League titles.

The 23-year-old Portugal winger, who was courted by Real Madrid in the off-season, received the most votes from the 57,500 members of FIFPro, the worldwide body representing soccer players said on its Web site.

"To be recognized by my fellow professional players worldwide coming from over 50,000 players is amazing," Ronaldo said in a statement. "I would like to thank my teammates and coaches and everyone involved at Manchester United and the national team, as well as my family and friends for their support."

Ronaldo is also likely to be among the contenders for world governing body FIFA's world player of the year award and the Ballon d'Or, which is voted for by journalists and organized by France Football magazine.

Ronaldo, who missed the start of this campaign following ankle surgery, had called a potential switch to Madrid his "dream" move. This week he told Spanish sports daily Marca that he is now likely to stay at United next season.

He's been with his English club since August 2003, following a 12.2 million-pound ($18.8 million) switch from Sporting Lisbon, scoring 95 goals in 248 matches.

Ronaldo's United teammate Rio Ferdinand was also named in FIFPro's world XI, with Chelsea captain John Terry and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard. Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is among five players included from Spain's European Championship- winning team.