Zurich,jan.13 : Portuguese and Real Madrid great Cristiano Ronaldo won his third Ballon d’Or on Monday at the FIFA ceremony in Zurich.
Ronaldo, who was the winner last year as well as in 2008, edged out two other contenders, Barcelona’s Argentine ace Lionel Messi and German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, in the vote for the World Player of the Year.
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.
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.
He shut out Lionel Messi for the second straight year in the battle for the Ballon d’Or and he is showing no sign of giving up his grip as king of world football.
The awardees:
*Men’s Player of the Year: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal).
*Women’s Player of the Year: Nadine Kessler (Germany).
*Men’s Coach of the Year: Joachin Loew (Germany).
*Women’s Coach of the Year: Ralf Kellerman (VFL Wolfsburg).
*Puskas Goal of the Year: James Rodrigues (Colombia). Fairplay award: Volunteers at all FIFA events.
*Fifa/Fifpro World XI: Manuel Neuer (Germany/Bayern Munich), Sergio Ramos (Spain/Real Madrid), David Luiz (Brazil/PSG), Philipp Lahm (Germany/Bayern Munich), Thiago Silva (Brazil/PSG), Andres Iniesta (Spain/ Barcelona), Toni Kroos (Germany/ Real Madrid), Angel Di Maria (Argentina/Manchester United), Arjen Robben (Netherlands/Bayern Munich), Lionel Messi (Argentina/ Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Real Madrid).
