The best of world sports in 2008

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A class apart

Portugese and Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo had a dream 2007-08 season as his club not only retained the English Premier League title, but also won the UEFA Champions League. He was also the Premier League's top scorer, won the European Golden Shoe, and was named the FIFPro World Player of the Year 2008, and he was also awarded the 2008 Ballon d'Or. Ronaldo, who finished with 446 points, is Manchester United's first Ballon d'Or recipient since George Best in 1968. Ronaldo also scored his 100th goal in all competitions for Manchester United against Stoke City on November 15, 2008.But, it wasn't all smooth sailing for Ronaldo as he wasn't able to inspire Portugal beyond the quarter-finals at Euro 2008. He was also involved in an ugly spat involving Manchester United and Spanish club Real Madrid over his rumoured interest in moving to the latter. After a heated exchange of words between the clubs, Ronaldo stated that he is not leaving Manchester United, but these rumours have been re-ignited again in the first week of December 2008.

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Jinx broken

Fernando Torres scored the winning goal of the Euro 2008 final against Germany as Spain became only the second country after France in 1984 to win all their group stage fixtues and the championship itself. Following their win in the Euro 2008 final, Spain was ranked No 1 in the FIFA rankings on July 1, 2008. This was also the first major international trophy win by a Spanish football team after the Euro triumph in 1964.

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Down, but not out

Tiger Woods, the No 1 male golfer in the world, started the 2008 season by winning the Buick Invitational -- his 62nd PGA Tour victory, which tied him with Arnold Palmer for fourth on the all-time list. He followed this by winning the Dubai Desert Classic, Accenture Match Play Championship and the Arnold Palmer Invitational before Geoff Ogilvy ended this winning streak at the WGC-CA Championship. On April 15, 2008, he underwent his third left knee arthroscopic surgery and missed two months on the PGA Tour. Woods returned to the PGA tour at the 2008 US Open, where he staged a remarkable win as he battled not only the other golfers but also pain in his left knee as he made every effort to keep weight off the left leg. But, two days after winning the tournament, Woods announced that he will be undergoing reconstructive anterior cruciate ligament surgery on his left knee and would miss the remainder of the 2008 golf season.

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Event to remember

China was waiting for August 8, 2008, with bated breath as it looked to take its place in the global sporting arena by hosting the Beijing Summer Games. And, all the preparations and secret rehersals for the last couple of years, paid rich dividends as the opening ceremony at Beijing was widely regarded as the best in recent Summer Olympics Games. It featured a cast of over 15,000 performers and was a celebration of ancient Chinese art and culture.But, the lasting image from the opening ceremony was its climax, when the last recipient in the Olympic Torch relay -- former Chinese gymnast Li Ning, ignited the cauldron after being suspended into the air by wires and completing a lap of the National Stadium at Stadium roof height.

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End of an era

Annika Sorenstam brought down the curtains on her glittering golfing career that saw her win 72 offcial LPGA tournaments including 10 majors and 18 other events in 2008. Sorenstam's last tournament was the Dubai Ladies Masters in December 2008, where she finished tied seventh. Sorenstam also ended her career as the top-earner in LPGA history with over $22 million.