Ronaldo retains top English players' award

(CNN) -- Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo has been named as England's top player by his peers for the second year in a row.

The Manchester United winger, who has scored 38 goals in all competitions this season, was again voted the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year.

The 23-year-old headed off Liverpool's Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, Arsenal duo Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor, and Portsmouth's veteran England goalkeeper David James in the annual poll.

Ronaldo did not attend Sunday night's ceremony in London as he was preparing for the second leg of United's Champions League semifinal against Barcelona on Tuesday.

He accepted the award from United manager Sir Alex Ferguson at the Premier League leaders' Carrington training ground.

Ronaldo told the UK Press Association: "I feel very happy. When you work all season to play good, to do something for the team, to do your contribution for the team and then at the end of the season the PFA give you this award, it is a great moment, it is an honor, a pleasure.

"It is a great motivation to carry on like that, to work more and get better. I feel very good but it is not just my award, my team-mates have helped me a lot this season.

"They give me good passes to score goals, and I score, but it is a good moment for me."

Spain midfielder Fabregas, 20, was named Young Player of the Year ahead of Ronaldo, Torres, Manchester City's England defender Micah Richards and Aston Villa forwards Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young. "I'm very proud. It's a very prestigious trophy," Fabregas said.

"Football is a collective game and you prefer to win trophies with team-mates but it's always nice to have this type of award.

"I dedicate it to my team-mates because without them I would not have won."

Chelsea were surprisingly snubbed in the team of the year selection, despite still being in contention for both the Premier League and Champions League titles.

United had three representatives in Ronaldo plus central defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic while Fabregas, striker Adebayor and fullbacks Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy featured for Arsenal.

Midfielder Gerrard and striker Torres were included, as were James and Young.

Former England and Blackpool full-back Jimmy Armfield, 72, still involved in the game as a broadcaster, received the Merit award for his services to the game.

The former Leeds manager overcame a battle with cancer last year. Armfield said: "When you wait for honors you appreciate it even more. The thing is to be honored by your own professionals, that's the way I look at it."

PFA teams of the year --

Premier League: David James (Portsmouth), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd), Gael Clichy (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal), Fernando Torres (Liverpool).

Championship: Wayne Hennessy (Wolves), Bradley Orr (Bristol City), Ryan Shawcross (Stoke), Dan Shittu (Watford), Paul Robinson (West Brom), Brian Howard (Barnsley), Marvin Elliott (Bristol City), Liam Lawrence (Stoke), Jonathan Greening (West Brom), Ricardo Fuller (Stoke), Kevin Phillips (West Brom).

League One: Kieren Westwood (Carlisle), Angel Rangel (Swansea), Garry Monk (Swansea), Danny Livesey (Carlisle), Julian Bennett (Nottm Forest), Andy Robinson (Swansea), Ferrie Bodde (Swansea), Kris Commons (Nottm Forest), Richie Wellens (Doncaster), Jermaine Beckford (Leeds), Jason Scotland (Swansea).

League Two: Jon Lewis (Peterborough), Craig Pead (Brentford), Stephen Foster (Darlington), Danny Swailes (MK Dons), Dean Lewington (MK Dons), Jason Puncheon (Barnet), Keith Andrews (MK Dons), Lloyd Dyer (MK Dons), George Boyd, (Peterborough), Jack Lester (Chesterfield), Aaron McLean (Peterborough). E-mail to a friend

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