Manchester United Star Cristiano Ronaldo Wins Ballon d'Or

The result everyone was expecting has come to pass as the Red Devils' superstar winger has been named European Footballer of the Year...

France Football has handed its prestigious Ballon d'Or award to Cristiano Ronaldo, a decision that will surprise no-one given his outstanding performances over the past 12 months.

The 23-year-old led Sir Alex Ferguson's side to the Premier League and Champions League titles last term, netting some 42 goals along the way - an incredible feat for a player who predominately plays on the right flank.

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Setubal rallies to draw against Benfica in Portuguese league

A late goal by Anderson saw Setubal deny Benfica the chance to go top of the Portuguese league on Monday following a 2-2 draw.

Laionel Silva Ramalho put Setubal ahead in the 35th before Benfica rallied in the second half behind goals by Konstantinos Katsouranis and Oscar David Suazo.

Anderson then scored in the first minute of injury time to keep unbeaten Benfica from going top for the first time since May 2005. The visitors finished with 10-men when Sandro Laranjeira was red-carded shortly after, as Setubal took its first point from the Stadium of Light since 2003.

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Heerenveen and Braga hope for the best

SC Braga could pick no better time to secure their first ever UEFA Cup group-stage away win as they visit SC Heerenveen with both sides in need of a pick-me-up after some frustrating Group E nights this season.

• Heerenveen were not in action on 27 November, and have no points following a 3-1 loss at home to AC Milan and a 5-1 mauling at VfL Wolfsburg. A win against Braga would guarantee them a chance to play for a Round of 32 place when they visit Portsmouth FC on Matchday 5.

• Braga conceded a late goal to lose 3-2 at home against Wolfsburg last week, with a late strike also having cost them a point when they lost 1-0 at Milan on Matchday 2. They won their opening game against Portsmouth 3-0, but play their final Group E game against Heerenveen.

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Gomes reveals: I turned down City because I love Manchester United

Portuguese midfielder Tiago Gomes has revealed he turned down a summer move to Manchester City - because he is a lifelong fan of bitter rivals Manchester United.

The under-21 international says he was offered the chance to join the Eastlands revolution but let his heart rule his head.

Instead the Estrelada da Amadora playmaker chose to join Romanian outfit Steaua Bucharest on loan and he insists he has no regrets.

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CAN LEIXOES MAKE IT BIG?

The 'Big Four' has become an all-too-familiar term in the English Premiership.

The financial security offered by Champions League football has made that elite group almost untouchable domestically, leaving the remaining 16 teams to fight it out to be 'best of the rest'.

But to describe the dominance associated with our Portuguese counterparts would require an adjective of greater weight: huge maybe, though more appropriate would be colossal - 'The Colossal Three' to be precise.

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