Kaka wins Ballon d’Or award ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo

AC Milan’s Brazilian midfielder Kaka was named on Sunday as France Football’s Player of the Year winning the prestigious Ballon d’Or award. He received 444 points in the France Football vote, easily ahead of Manchester United’s Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo who had 277 with Barcelona’s Argentinian midfielder Lionel Messi placing third with 255 points.

“This is very special for me - it culminates an astonishing year for me,” Kaka said.

“It’s the top prize around and the only way to win something like this is to play for a team like AC Milan. It’s great to be part of a team that wins.”

Born in the capital Brasilia, Kaka started off with Sao Paulo before moving to Europe with AC Milan in 2003. He has been capped 54 times for his country and scored 19 goals. He was in the Brazilian World Cup squads in 2002 and 2006.

Meanwhile, Kaka, Ronaldo and Barcelona ace Messi are on the three-man short list for the Fifa World Player of the Year, which will be determined later this month.

O’Shea signs new deal, Evra looking forward as well

Irish defender John O’Shea has signed a three-year extension to his contract with Manchester United.

The 26-year-old Waterford man has now committed himself to the club until 2012.

O’Shea has already played more than 250 games for United having joined the club at the age of 17.

After handing extended deals to Ryan Giggs, Nemanja Vidic and now John O’Shea, Manchester United are now looking to tie full-back Patrice Evra with a new long-term contract.

The 26-year-old France international, who had joined the Red Devils from Monaco in 2006, has established himself as the first-choice left-back in Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, and his all-action style has made him a fans’ favourite at Old Trafford.

Ferguson said that Evra is in line to get an extension. “Patrice will be the next one [we look at],” the Scot said.

Euro 2008: England fail to qualify as United players watched from the sidelines

It was a disappointing night in Wembley in the end, where England lost 2-3 to Croatia and hence failed qualify for next year’s Euro 2008. England needed only a point from this game but failed to deliver yet again.

Wayne Rooney (injury), Rio Ferdinand (suspension), Gary Neville (injury), Michael Carrick (injury) were all missing from the game, while Owen Hargreaves and Wes Brown were on the bench while England’s dream were shattered right before their eyes.

David Beckham played the whole second half and provided the cross while led to Crouch’s goal.

Now United fans will rely on the Portuguese duo Ronaldo and Nani to make them proud at the tournament. While goalkeepers Edwin van der Sar, captain of Holland, and Tomasz Kuszczak, Poland, will also feature for their respective national sides.

Glazers say they are here to stay

Joel Glazer admits that the atmosphere in and around the ground is infectious and he insists Ferguson will continue to receive his family’s full support.

“Sir Alex Ferguson will be given all the resources to compete at the highest level possible,” Glazer told the People.

“When you’re around this club, the heritage, the history - when you’re walking around Old Trafford, it’s an incredible feeling.

“But with it comes a lot of responsibility and we take that very seriously.

“Manchester United are one of the few truly global sports teams in the world.

“We have a global fan base of around 140 million. It’s the only club we were ever interested in.”

The Glazers have finally broken their silence over this issue but can we really believe them? The statement We have a global fan base of around 140 million. It’s the only club we were ever interested in says it all, doesn’t it? The Glazers are businessmen and United’s worth as a profitable institution led them to takeover the great club. After all, football has become just business for many like the Glazers, but ofcourse its a matter of life and death for millions of supporters like us around the world.

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