Cristiano Ronaldo, who led United to the Premier League and Champions League double, outdistanced Argentine Lionel Messi and Spaniard Fernando Torres as the 53rd recipient of the award, formerly known as the European Player of the Year. Since 2007, it is open to players playing in any country in the world and is voted upon by 96 journalists representing each member of UEFA and all the non-European countries that have participated in the World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo is the third Portuguese to win the award after Eusebio in 1965 and Luis Figo in 2000 and the fourth Manchester United player to be selected after Denis Law in 1964, Bobby Charlton in 1966 and George Best in 1968. His vote total of of 446 (out of a possible 480 points) is two more than 2007 winner Kaka received. Kaka, the only previous winner on the 2008 ballot, finished eighth in 2008 voting.