Following a major trophy filled 12 months, in which he’s claimed a Champions League with Real Madrid and the European Championship with his home nation, Cristiano Ronaldo has beaten off the efforts of rival Leo Messi to claim his fourth Ballon D’or.
After previously claiming the award in 2008 as well as in 2013 and 2014, the former Manchester United forward was visibly thrilled at capping off a dream season with his prize.
On pick my up the coveted individualistic gong, Ronaldo commented;
“It is a special moment. It means that all my sacrifice was worth it. I feel very happy to win this. I worked very hard,”
“A lot of people helped me get here, and it is not easy to get here. You can count on one hand players who maintain this level year after year. I am one of them, and that is a source of pride for me.”
Before going on;
“This has been the best year of my career from both a team and individual level,” Ronaldo said. “To win the title for Portugal was what was left to achieve on my résumé, and it was one of the most important moments. But to win Champions League as well with Real Madrid was huge.
“It is a huge honour to win the Ballon d’Or. I am very happy. This is a dream come true, and it is the fourth time. I feel very proud. This win is for my teammates in both the club and the national team. It is incredible to earn this trophy again.”
Here’s the man in his very own words.
With much of the media keen on picking up aspects of his game that have seemingly dissolved since turning 31, Ronaldo has changed his skill set to become one of the worlds most feared central strikers.
Notching up 51 goals in 54 games for club and country in 2016, the Portuguese legends goal scoring efforts have been eclipsed only by Barcelona’s Luiz Suarez who notched an even more incredible haul.
Second place of course went to the equally inimitable Messi who, despite claiming a La Liga and Copa de Rey title, was seen to have a slightly less than extraordinary year compared to his vintage best.
At least however the 29-year old can comfort himself with his previous 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015 Ballon D’or wins, still a record number despite his adversary’s impressive four.
Third place went to gifted Frenchman Antoine Griezmann after the Atletico midfielder spurred his club on to a Champions League final, as well as his country to a European Championship final.
The complete 2016 Ballon d’Or placements, as announced by France Football, were as follows:
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, Portugal)
2. Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Argentina)
3. Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid, France)
4. Luis Suarez (Barcelona, Uruguay)
5. Neymar (Barcelona, Brazil)
6. Gareth Bale (Real Madrid, Wales)
7. Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City, Algeria)
8. Jamie Vardy (Leicester City, England)
9-t. Pepe (Real Madrid, Portugal)
9-t. Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus, Italy)
11. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund, Gabon)
12. Rui Patricio (Sporting, Portugal)
13. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint-Germain/Manchester United, Sweden)
14-t. Arturo Vidal (Bayern Munich, Chile)
14-t. Paul Pogba (Juventus/Manchester United, France)
16. Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich, Poland)
17-t. Dimitri Payet (West Ham, France)
17-t. Luka Modric (Real Madrid, Croatia)
17-t. Toni Kroos (Real Madrid, Germany)
Eleven other players on the original shortlist were not ranked: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Paulo Dybala (Juventus), Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli/Juventus), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)