WORTHY WINNERS: Top three in this year's vote

THE CIRCUS MAGICIAN

Cristiano Ronaldo (935 points): Few players in world soccer polarize opinion like Cristiano Ronaldo but despite his occasional theatrics and petulance his ability to influence matches is undisputed.

The Portuguese winger is blessed with strength, pace, aerial ability and savage shooting power and he invariably delivers when it matters most - his magnificent header in last season's Champions League final a prime example.