Portugal's Ronaldo and Brazil's Marta Vieira da Silva Wins FIFA World Player of the Year

Cristiano Ronaldo and Marta Vieira da Silva WINS FIFA Player of the Year Award

23-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo won the FIFA World Player of the Year award on Monday.

The Portugal and Manchester United winger received 935 votes in a worldwide poll of national team captains and coaches, with the results announced by Brazil's all-time great Pele.

Lionel Messi, the Argentina midfielder, was runner-up with 678 votes, while Spain's Fernando Torres was third with 203.

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first Premier League player to be selected world player of the year and only the second Portuguese player after Luis Figo, who finished ahead of David Beckham in 2001.

"It is an overwhelming moment, a very special moment in my life," Ronaldo said. "I would like to say to my mother and sister that the fireworks can be fired off now."

Brazil's 22-year-old Marta Vieira da Silva, won the women's award for the third year in a row. For the women's vote, 139 coaches and captains cast their vote and Marta won comfortably with 1,002 points ahead of Germany's Prinz with 328 points and Brazil's Cristiane 275 points.

Image Courtesy: Google AFP Pictures

Abby Wambach Expects To Return In Spring

Injured U.S. star Abby Wambach said she expects to return in time for the debut of the new Women's Professional Soccer league in the spring.

The national team's leading scorer knew when she collided with a Brazilian player last Wednesday her leg was broken and she'd miss the Olympics.

"I looked down and my knee was pointing up and my foot was pointing in a little bit different direction," she said after her first physical therapy session Monday. It was her first major injury.

"Have I cried tears over it?" she said. "Yeah, this is a horrible accident and very bad timing. But I don't feel sorry for myself because this is what my life has shown me."

News Courtsey: Chicagotribune.com

US Women Soccer Star Abby Wambach Out Of Olympics With Broken Leg

Abby Wambach,28, United States' striker sustained a leg injury in a friendly game against Brazil on Wednesday. She collided with Brazilian defender Maria Rosa late in the 31st minute, resulting in a fractured tibia and fibula in her left leg. She is scheduled to undergo surgery today in Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego.

Losing Abby Wambach is a serious blow to the USA National Women Soccer team's gold medal hopes at the Beijing Olympics this summer.

According to the U.S. soccer website, injuries of this sort usually require a 12-week recovery.

Abby Wambach has 13 goals this year and she is one of the top scorers in U.S. history with 99 goals in 127 games.

USA won the game, 1-0. The goal was scored by Tasha Kai.

Japan Women Downs Australia 3-0

Australian women's soccer team have suffered a 0-3 defeat to Japan at the Asian Cup on Sunday. The loss had made the Matildas (Australian Women's Soccer Team) to be placed overall 4th in the competition.
Yuki Nagasato socred in the 17th minute, Aya Miyama sored from a free kick in the 79th minute and Homare Sawa scored in the 87th minute.