Portugal and Real Madrid mercurial winger Christiano Ronaldo on Monday won the 2014 Ballon d’Or winner, making it the second straight year the goal poacher will win the award.
The Real Madrid and Portugal forward was awarded FIFA’s top individual honour over Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Ronaldo, 29, took home the award for the third time in his career, after also winning it in 2008. He and Messi have been the only players to receive the award since then, with the Argentine earning the honour for four straight years from 2009-2012.
The Portuguese earned 37.66 per cent of the votes, while Messi edged Neuer, 15.76 to 15.72 per cent, for runner-up.
Ronaldo set a record by scoring 17 goals in last season’s Champions League, guiding Madrid to their 10th title, the long-awaited La Decima.
He scored twice in the semifinals against Bayern Munich and the crowning goal in the final against Atletico Madrid.(ESPN)
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