Cristiano Ronaldo is, without question, the deserving winner of the Ballon d'Or, European football's highest award.

A Premier League and European Cup winner with Manchester United, along with a host of individual honours (including the European Golden Shoe), Ronaldo has been magnificent throughout 2008.

Since his arrival at Old Trafford, the boy from Madeira has improved year on year, going from step-over shuffling show pony to a potent attacking force capable of winning games (almost) single-handedly. He is the deserving winner of the award this time round, as shown by the enormous margin by which he triumphed.

But who, other than the Portuguese midfielder, will be the challengers for the crown in 2009?

THE OBVIOUS CONTENDERS:

Lionel Messi (Barcelona & Argentina) - Arguments continue to rage about whether the diminutive Argentine wizard is in fact the best player in the world. He has the ability to change direction at breathtaking speed whilst keeping the ball seemingly on a shoestring. He continues to improve his game (witness an improvement in his finishing, as shown by two terrific strikes against Sevilla over the past weekend) and is a key reason for Pep Guardiola’s side being top of La Liga. Providing he stays injury-free, the man often labelled as “the new Maradona” will certainly win the Ballon d'Or at some point. Could it be next year?

Kaka (AC Milan & Brazil) -  The winner of the award in 2007, Kaka could be hindered by not participating in the main European competition, the Champions League, this season. However, as the lynchpin of an aging Milan side, if he can perform on a regular basis, and take the Scudetto back to the San Siro, then there is no reason why he won’t take the award for a second time. The Brazilian playmaker has everything in his arsenal: strength, poise, skill, speed, ability with both feet - and a work ethic that goes largely unnoticed.

Frank Lampard (Chelsea & England) – If Chelsea are to win the trophies to which they aspire – namely the Champions League and the Premier League – then Lampard will be pivotal. A consistent 20-goals-a-season man from midfield, Lampard's ability to be in the right place at the right time to score vital goals is priceless. Always on the short list for individual awards, and his team is always chasing titles. So he can’t be a bad player, can he?

THE OUTSIDE BETS:

Iker Casillas (Real Madrid & Spain) – Many, particularly in Spain, will argue that Real goalkeeper Casillas would have been a deserving winner this year thanks to his performance at Euro 2008. However, he was playing behind the outstanding side in the competition. If the Spain captain is to win the trophy next year, then you can bet that Real Madrid will have won the Champions League, a competition in which they have struggled since their last win in 2002.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan & Sweden) – Temperamental and talented. Mercurial and volatile. Confident and overrated. All adjectives that have been used to describe Ibrahimovic over the course of the past yedar. On paper the Swedish forward has everything - pace, power, touch, strength and the ability to score the most miraculous of goals. Has been simply outstanding in Serie A for the last two years but is yet to perform to his potential on the European and international stage. However, if one man can get the best out of the 6ft 4in Swede, then surely it's Jose Mourinho.

Karim Benzema (Olympique Lyonnais & France) – The young French striker has the look of an ice-cold finisher with more than a hint of the great Zinedine Zidane about him. Scouts from all over have been flocking to see him ever since he broke into the first team at the Stade Gerland, and talks of a £30m  transfer to one of Europe's biggest clubs occur almost daily when the transfer windows swing open.

Samuel Eto’o (Barcelona & Cameroon) – After an uncertain summer when his future was very much up in the air, the Barcelona striker is once again settled at the Camp Nou. Has already struck 13 goals in La Liga this campaign to lead the scoring charts while Barca are clear at the top of the table. If Barca can wrestle the title away from rivals Real Madrid and challenge for the Champions League, then the determination and talent of Eto’o will more than likely have a big say in events.

THE OLD STAGER:

Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus & Italy) – The captain of the Old Lady had something of an Indian summer as he led the scoring charts in Italy for the first time in his career, at the ripe old age of 33. The technically astute striker has continued in that form this campaign as Claudio Ranieri continues to get the best out of one of European football's greatest goalscorers. A stunning two-goal salvo at the Bernabeu saw him applauded from the field recently. If he continues that form for the next 12 months, he could be in the running for the Balon d'Or next year at the age of 34.

THE FORGOTTEN MAN:

Ronaldinho (AC Milan & Brazil) – For a two-year spell, Ronaldinho had no equal in world football. He was simply untouchable as he won all awards available. However, a few years in which he has been questioned over his attitude and his lifestyle constantly and has suffered through injuries have almost made him football's forgotten man. Nevertheless, if a move to Milan can rejuvenate the buck-toothed Brazilian (and the signs have been there; his winner in the Milan derby and his stunning free-kick against Portsmouth), then the awards could follow once more to perhaps the most naturally gifted player of his generation.