Ronaldo, Marta collect soccer honors

Manchester’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazil’s Marta received the FIFA’s world player of the year awards Monday in Zurich, Switzerland.

It was the first time for Ronaldo, a 23-year-old winger who scored 31 goals in leading his team to the Premier League championship. He also helped Portugal to the quarterfinals at UEFA Euro 2008.

Lionel Messi of Argentina finished second in the balloting, followed by Fernando Torres of Spain, Kaka of Brazil and Xavi of Spain.

It was a record-tying third award for Marta, a 21-year-old midfielder who led Brazil to a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics last year. She also plays for Sweden’s Umea IK.

Germany’s Birgit Prinz placed second in the voting, followed by Brazil’s Cristiane, Germany’s Nadine Angerer and England’s Kelly Smith.