3. Cristiano Ronaldo (male, Portugal)

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo poses with the Ballon D'Or trophy ahead of their Champions League soccer match against AaB Aalborg in Manchester, northern England, December 10, 2008.

The 23-year-old football talent scored 42 goals for Manchester United, playing the key role in helping the club grab the titles of the English Premier League and the European Champions League. On Dec. 2, he was elected the best European footballer of 2008.