The brilliant Manchester United winger has already collected a plethora of personal accolades after helping drive his team towards the Barclays Premiership title, and potentially the FA Cup.

Ronaldo was earlier this week named the United fans' and players' player of the year soon after scooping both the awards - player and young player - from the Professional Footballers' Association.

The Portuguese, who recently agreed a new five-year deal at Old Trafford, has certainly come full circle since the adverse publicity that followed his part in England's World Cup demise last summer.

United manager Ferguson will attend the Football Writers' Association 60th anniversary dinner in London tonight as one of his star men is honoured further.

"Cristiano is one of those players who loves the ball. You have to drag him off the training pitch sometimes because he likes to practise," said Ferguson.

"It is part of his upbringing to practise with the ball. That helps him to keep his standards up.

"His season has been incredible, 23 goals from a winger is exceptional.

"At this moment in time he is the best player in the world."

Former England captain Alan Shearer - voted Footballer of the Year himself when at Blackburn in 1994 - will tonight propose the toast to the FWA, which was formed back in 1947.

Chairman of the FWA, Paul Hetherington said: "Cristiano has picked up every award in sight - which is an indication of the superb season he has had.

"The football writers have clearly got their choice right as the footballer of the year, which shows there have been no agendas carried over from the World Cup last summer.

"Even though Cristiano has already been presented with many awards, we believe tomorrow night will be be a very special occasion for him."

Hetherington added: "This is the original of all awards to honour the outstanding footballer of the season.

"It is our 60th anniversary. We started off with a famous winger in Sir Stanley Matthews as our first winner and now our latest recipient is also a winger blessed with breathtaking skills."