ZURICH , Switzerland ( CNN ) -- As I watched Cristiano Ronaldo receive the FIFA World Player of the Year award in Zurich , I could n't help feeling a deep sense of satisfaction , as the 23 year-old Portuguese international once again proved all his doubters wrong . Cristiano Ronaldo shows emotion after being named the FIFA World Player of the Year for 2008 . Especially the ones in England . In the days leading up to the awards ceremony , there were various rumors circulating that the Manchester United star was going to be pipped by Leo Messi on Tuesday night . I was asked several times in London whether I really thought Ronaldo was going to win . Whether he really deserved it . It was as if many in the British press did n't want him to take home another award . Do you think Cristiano Ronaldo is shown enough respect ? Tell us in the Sound Off box below . The fierce attack on his lifestyle by the tabloids after he crashed his Ferrari last week just accentuated the fact that in the UK , he still has earned little respect . Never mind that he was about to become the first Premier League Player to win this prestigious award . Never mind he has been the competition 's biggest ambassador and promoter overseas . Too many in the English media , he was still a diver on the field , and a petulant rock star off it . Now I am not going to sit here and say that my compatriot Cristiano is perfect . He is n't and he makes mistakes . But the same can be said about Wayne Rooney or any of the other English internationals . When Rooney charges down the referee and shouts obscenities in his face without even being booked , as was the case in last weekend 's match against Chelsea , is he called arrogant or petulant ? No . When he goes seven or eight matches without a goal , is he suddenly branded overrated ? No . So all I am asking for here is a little respect . If Ronaldo was English , I am sure in the eyes of the British press he would be virtually untouchable , but although he 's not , just give him a break . After all , he had an incredible 2007/2008 season which saw him score 42 goals in 49 matches and win virtually every major trophy on offer . And he 's a great ambassador for the game . Pedro Pinto is a CNN sports correspondent based in London .
Pedro Pinto won the CNN Player of the Year for 2008 in Zurich , 2008 . FIFA 's Pedro Pinto says he is not shown enough respect by media . Pinto : `` Ronaldo is a great ambassador for the game ''