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Portugal and Real Madrid great Cristiano Ronaldo won his third Ballon d’Or at the Fifa ceremony in Zurich to edge within one of his rival, Barcelona’s Argentinian magician Lionel Messi.
The 29-year-old forward, who played a key role in Real Madrid’s charge to a 10th Champions League trophy, beat Messi and Germany’s World Cup winning goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Ronaldo was the star of the night in which Real teammate James Rodriguez won the goal of the year award and Germany’s Joachim Loew was declared coach of the year. Nadine Kessler of VfL Wolfsburg and Germany won the women’s Player of the Year award.

“I never thought I would win this trophy on three occasions,” Ronaldo said in his victory speech, signalling there would be no letup in his quest for football glory.
“I want to be one of the greatest players of all time and of course this requires a lot of effort,” added the Portuguese striker who also won the award in 2013 and in 2008.”
Ronaldo, whose son and mother were present and burst into tears when he went up to collect the award, praised his team-mates but he also paid homage to his family.

“I would like to thank my mother, to my father, who is in heaven and who is looking down on me, to my family,” said Ronaldo.
“It has been an unforgettable year and to win a trophy of this importance is unimaginable.”


Ronaldo led Real Madrid to their 10th European Champions League crown – their first in 12 years – in sensational style in 2014, smashing Messi’s record of 15 Champions League goals in a single season with 17 in just 11 appearances.
The only real disappointment for him was that a problem in his left knee contributed to an underwhelming World Cup for the Portugal captain.
Ronaldo cruised to victory garnering 37.66% of the votes of the 181 national team coaches, 182 national team captains, and 181 media representatives who voted. Messi finished second with 15.76% and Neuer just adrift of the Argentinian with 15.72%.
His victory was greeted with joy in Portugal with both the president and the Prime Minister expressing their delight.
“This trophy is recognition of your superb sporting ability, of your determination and of your dedication which has been a feature of your footballing career,” wrote Portugal president Anibal Cavaco Silva.
Portugal coach Fernando Santos congratulated him but added he would like to play a role in delivering something that is missing from the superstar’s medal-filled cabinet.
“Cristiano has already said that what is missing from his brilliant career is to win something with the national team,” said Santos, who took over from Paulo Bento after Portugal lost 1-0 to Albania in their opening Euro 2016 qualifier.
“We will do all we can to make this happen.”


Loew, who moved up from assistant coach to the top job after the 2006 World Cup which Germany hosted and reached the semi-finals, said that the award rounded off a sensational year.
“It is for me a huge honour, it is the icing on the cake and the cake was winning the World Cup,” said Loew.


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Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo makes it a hat-trick of Ballon d’Or titles

Cristiano Ronaldo receives the trophy from Fifa president Sepp Blatter. Photo: Xinhua

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi watch the ceremony. Photo: AFP

Woman player of the year Nadine Kessler of Germany with Sepp Blatter. Photo: AFP

Ronaldo with his son Cristiano Jnr, mother Dolores, brother Hugo (far right) and an unidentified family member. Photo: AFP

Sergio Ramos and his girlfriend arrive for the bash. Photo: AP

Lionel Messi signs autographs. Photo: AP

Arjen Robben sports a polka bow tie. Photo: AP

Lionel Messi and his partner Antonella Roccuzzo. Photo: AP

Cristiano Ronaldo with son Cristiano Jnr. Photo: Xinhua

Sport

Football

Real Madrid star sees off Lionel Messi and moves one closer to equalling Argentine with four


Portugual and Real Madrid great Cristiano Ronaldo won his third Ballon d’Or at the Fifa ceremony in Zurich to edge within one of his rival, Barcelona’s Argentinian magician Lionel Messi.


Cristiano Ronaldo makes it a hat-trick of Ballon d’Or titles

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Real Madrid star sees off Lionel Messi and moves one closer to equalling Argentine with four

Real Madrid star sees off Lionel Messi and moves one closer to equalling Argentine with four