Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari and Arsenal's Arsene Wenger both congratulated Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo for his Ballon d'Or victory at a glittering ceremony last night.

Former Portugal coach Scolari claims it is the first of many for the young star.

"It is the first award you've received for everything you've done but it's not the last," he said. "It's the first in a long series that you will receive throughout your career."

Wenger, who recently admitted he had tried to sign Ronaldo, congratulated the player via telephone at the live ceremony, adding the decision had been met by universal approval in the world of football.

"You have a very high level of skill," Wenger said to the beaming footballer who was standing side by side with Ferguson. "I want to congratulate both of you because it's a collective work too.

"There's a bit of regret because I also wanted you back then.

"Ronaldo has been voted number one by journalists but he would have been voted number one by all players and voted number one by all managers if they could have voted.

"I feel this Ballon d'Or is a unanimous decision."