Real Madrid superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo has been awarded the title of the best player in the world, beating Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann to the prestigious crown.
Cristiano Ronaldo received the award FIFA’s annual awards gala in Zurich on Monday.
“It’s a great feeling, as I mentioned many times last year was a dream year, no doubt about that,” the striker said at the ceremony shortly before receiving the prize,” Ronaldo said.
“Real Madrid win the Champions League and the national team won the Euros for the first time in history. Unbelievable season. I’m so proud and happy.
“I have to say thank you to my team-mates of Real Madrid, and team-mates of Portugal and the coaches. It was an amazing year.”
Ronaldo scored a total of 59 goals for both club and country throughout the 12 months, as his career reached new heights.
The Portugal international, despite suffering an injury in the final, guided his country to Euro 2016 glory, scoring three goals and cajoling his team-mates from the sidelines after being stretchered off.
Eder’s late goal ensured that Ronaldo lifted the trophy in France, with Griezmann – the player to outscore him in the tournament – on the losing side in the showpiece.
Ronaldo also scored the winning penalty in the Champions League final, as Real defeated Griezmann’s Atletico at San Siro in Milan, and was rewarded with a staggering new deal until 2021.
The 31-year-old’s incredible year – which also saw him named the world’s highest paid sports star – was capped in December, when he was awarded his fourth Ballon d’Or award.
While Messi, the man who has forever threatened to overshadow Ronaldo during an era of individual footballing dominance, scored a sensational 55 goals throughout 2016, he was topped by four goals by Ronaldo, though he did guide Barcelona to La Liga glory.
Ronaldo was recently linked with a mind-boggling move to China, with a £257 million bid mooted, but the former Manchester United star appears set to continue his battle for supremacy with Messi and Griezmann in La Liga.
Carli Lyod of USA won the FIFA Best Women’s player of the year award. It was also a good night for Leicester City coach Claudio Ranieri who won the coach of the year award for his phenomenal success last season
See the full list of winners below.
1. The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award (Nominees: Cristiano Ronaldo, Antoine Griezmann and Lionel Messi)
Winner- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/ Real Madrid)
2. The Best FIFA Women’s Player Award (Nominees: Melanie Behringer, Carli Lloyd and Marta)
Winner- Carli Llyod (USA)
3.The Best FIFA Men’s Coach Award (Nominees: Claudio Ranieri, Fernando Santos and Zinedine Zidane)
Winner- Claudio Ranieri (Leicester City)
4. The Best FIFA Women’s Coach Award (Nominees: Jill Ellis, Silvia Neid and Pia Sundhage)
Winner- Silvia Neid
5. The FIFA Puskás Award 2016 (Nominees: Marlone, Daniuska Rodriguez and Mohd Faiz Subri)
Winner- Mohd Faiz Subri
6. The FIFA Fair Play Award
Winner- Atletico Nacional
7. The FIFA Fan Award (Nominees: ADO Den Haag supporters, Borussia Dortmund-Liverpool supporters and Iceland supporters)
Winner- Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool supporters
8. Outstanding Career Award
Winner – Falcao
