The Portugal and Real Madrid star, Cristiano Ronaldo, has won the award for the second year in a row after leading the Blancos to a Liga and Champions League double.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been named Best FIFA Men’s Player of 2016-17 for the second year in a row, as he managed to defeat competition from fellow finalists Neymar and Lionel Messi at the awards ceremony in London.
The 32-year-old turned in another stunning campaign for Madrid in 2016-17 as he led the Blancos to a La Liga and Champions League double, including a brace in the Champions League final against Juventus.
Ronaldo netted 25 times in La Liga last term and added 12 goals in the Champions League to round off another sensational goal-scoring season.
Messi, meanwhile, scored an incredible 54 goals in 52 appearances in all competitions last term, but only managed to get his hands on the Copa del Rey with Barca – and it was ultimately Madrid’s title wins that assured victory for their star forward.
“Thank you, a lot, to the guys who voted for me. I must also mention Leo and Neymar, for being here,” Ronaldo said after recieving the prize.
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“Real Madrid – the coach, the supporters and the president – they support all of the year so I say thank you to them.
“I’m really glad to win consecutive awards. This is a great moment for me. Thank you to all the fans around the world for the support. I appreciate that, thank you very much.
“It’s great to be here with these great players and I am so happy guys, thanks you so much.”
The winner of the award was selected by the current coaches from every FIFA men’s national team, the current captains of every FIFA men’s national team, a journalist from each territory represented by a national team and fans from all over the world registered on FIFA.com.
Ronaldo also took home the inaugural Best FIFA Men’s Player award in 2016.
FIFA formerly awarded the Ballon d’Or in conjuction with the magazine France Football, but the two entities split their prizes last year.
France Football still awards the Ballon d’Or, and it is expected that Ronaldo will most likely equal Messi with his fifth such prize when the award is announced in December.
