Manchester United midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo added another honor to his impressive trophy haul on Monday when he was named winner of the prestigious Ballon d'Or, awarded to the best player in Europe.
Ronaldo (446 points in the voting) easily out-distanced second place finisher Lionel Messi (281 points) and third-place Fernando Torres (179 points). Iker Casillas (133) and Xavi (97) rounded out the Top Five.
Ronaldo added the Ballon d'Or to the FIFPro world player of the year and England's PFA player of the year awards for his 42-goal haul in helping lead Manchester United to EPL and Champions League titles last season.
Here are some other stories to get your day started:
Real target Huntelaar
With an injury crisis threatening to crush their La Liga title dreams, Real Madrid is positioning itself to make a major splash in the January transfer window, with word emerging that the club is in talks with Ajax over a potential January transfer of star Dutch striker Klass-Jan Huntelaar.
Adding Huntelaar would help offset the loss of fellow Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who is out for the season with a torn ACL. It would also likely be just one of several winter acquisitions for a Real Madrid squad that made just one significant summer acquisition in Rafael Van Der Vaart.
Everton eyeing Larsson
With Aiyegbeni Yakubu out for the season with a torn Achilles, young striker James Vaughan set to have season-ending knee surgery and French striker Louis Saha now dealing with a hamstring injury, Everton is in dire need of forward help and could turn to a very familiar face in none other than Celtic legend Henrik Larsson.
The 37-year-old Swedish striker could join the Toffees on a short loan spell similar to the loan deal he joined Manchester United on in 2007.
What do you think of the news? Think Ronaldo was a deserving Ballon d'Or winner? Do you see Huntelaar helping Real Madrid salvage its season? Do you believe Larsson can still be an impact striker in the EPL? Secretly praying Everton and Villarreal agree on a loan deal to send Jozy Altidore to England?
Share your thoughts on these stories, and any other stories from this morning or Monday night in the comments section below.