"It was just an unbelievable year. You could make a movie or write many books about it," Ronaldo said in an interview in France Football magazine on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old, who also won the prestigious European award in 1997, made his comeback in April after almost three years struggling with a knee injury and was top scorer in the World Cup in South Korea and Japan.

"Winning the Golden Ball this year means something special to me. It means much more than the first one because I know what I have had to overcome.

"Over the last three years we didn't really know what the outcome of all this would be. Some people believed I was past playing soccer, that I would never score a goal again."

Ronaldo hit two goals in the 2002 World Cup final as Brazil beat Germany 2-0 to win their fifth title. He finished top scorer in the tournament with eight goals.

He won the European award, organised by France Football, on Monday and is favourite to win the World Player of the Year award later on Tuesday.

"I want to dedicate the Golden Ball to my family, to my team mates, to my friends and to (Gerard) Saillant (the French specialist who performed surgery on Ronaldo's knee).

"It's just like coming back to life but I want to say I never lost hope. I never gave up. I always kept struggling and therefore I think I deserved it."

Ronaldo finished ahead of Roberto Carlos, who won the European Cup with Real before Ronaldo joined the club.

Germany goalkeeper Oliver Khan was third, Zinedine Zidane of France fourth and Germany's Michael Ballack fifth.

Ronaldo played just 17 club games this year compared with Roberto Carlos's 46 for Real.

TRIBUTE TO ROBERTO CARLOS

"I think Roberto Carlos deserved it as much as I did. He has had a great season," said Ronaldo.

"He has won almost everything from the European Cup to the World Cup and and the World Club Cup (with Real). He is an outstanding player," Ronaldo said.

"Kahn and Ballack deserved it too. But I guess it's a little bit difficult for a goalkeeper and Ballack did not play in the World Cup final." Ballack was suspended for the final.

Asked what had changed since 1997, Ronaldo said he was still the same person - just more experienced.

"I guess I'm now smarter than I used to be, I can read the game quicker. I can anticipate moves and really sense which are the best scoring opportunities."

Ronaldo said it took him some time to adjust to his new club and team mates after his move from Inter Milan.

"I knew becoming a first choice player in such a team was going to be a tough challenge. But it's now going better, much better."

Ronaldo scored one of Real's goals in the 2-0 win over Olimpia in the World Club Cup final two weeks ago.

"I'm here to score goals, it's what people are expecting from me. And it's what I want to do."