PARIS: Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has won the fifth Ballon d’Or Award of his career as a best player, equaling Lionel Messi’s record after a season that saw him lead Real Madrid to their 12th Champions League title.
Ronaldo won the trophy awarded by France Football magazine at a ceremony held at the Eiffel Tower on Thursday. He finished ahead of contenders Messi and Neymar.
Ronaldo was shown on television receiving the award while making the sign of five with his left hand as held the trophy in his right. Messi was runner-up behind him and Neymar was third.
"Of course, I feel happy, it's a big moment in my career," Ronaldo said. "It's something I hope to win every year."
The 32-year-old Portugal forward also took home the Ballon d'Or prize in 2013 and 2014, and in 2008 when playing for Manchester United.
Messi won it from 2009-12 and again in 2015.
2017 Ballon d’Or final standings
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) 2. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) 3. Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain) 4. Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus) 5. Luka Modric (Real Madrid) 6. Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) 7. Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain) 8. N’Golo Kanté (Chelsea) 9. Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) 10. Harry Kane (Tottenham)
Al-Nassr player Ronaldo's fan walks from Dubai to Riyadh to meet him
Kansas City Chiefs player and wife are on vacation to celebrate friends birthday
Skipper says 180 to 190 is "par score" in Rawalpindi, stressing that Green Shirts "did well" in third T20I
Both sides to take on each other in remaining two matches to be played in Lahore on 25th and 27th
The Al Nassr player has always maintained a clean-shaven look
Right-arm pacer has been out of action for months owing to his elbow injury and subsequent surgery last year
