RONALDO CROWNED FIFA'S BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD
RONALDO CROWNED FIFA'S BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD
The Real Madrid superstar
enjoyed a staggering 2016 and
has now been awarded the title
of the best player in the world,
beating Lionel Messi and Antoine
Griezmann Cristiano Ronaldo has been crowned the world’s best player at FIFA’s annual awards gala in Zurich.
Martial two goals away from costing Man Utd €10m more
The Real Madrid superstar enjoyed a fantastic 2016, and has now beaten his perennial rival Lionel Messi and Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann to the prize.
"It's a great feeling, as I mentioned
many times last year was a dream
year, no doubt about that," the striker said at the ceremony shortly before receiving the prize.
"Real Madrid win the Champions
League and the national team won
the Euros for the first time in history.
Unbelievable season. I'm so proud
and happy.
"I have to say thank you to my team-
mates of Real Madrid, and team-
mates of Portugal and the coaches. It
was an amazing year."
Ronaldo scored a total of 59 goals for
both club and country throughout the
12 months, as his career reached new
heights.
The Portugal international, despite
suffering an injury in the final, guided
his country to Euro 2016 glory,
scoring three goals and cajoling his
team-mates from the sidelines after
being stretchered off.
Eder’s late goal ensured that Ronaldo
lifted the trophy in France, with
Griezmann – the player to outscore
him in the tournament - on the losing
side in the showpiece.
Ronaldo also scored the winning
penalty in the Champions League
final, as Real defeated Griezmann’s
Atletico at San Siro in Milan, and was
rewarded with a staggering new deal
until 2021.
The 31-year-old’s incredible year –
which also saw him named the
world’s highest paid sports star –
was capped in December, when he
was awarded his fourth Ballon d’Or
award.
While Messi, the man who has forever
threatened to overshadow Ronaldo
during an era of individual footballing
dominance, scored a sensational 55
goals throughout 2016, he was
topped by four goals by Ronaldo,
though he did guide Barcelona to La
Liga glory.
Ronaldo was recently linked with a
mind-boggling move to China, with a
£257 million bid mooted, but the
former Manchester United star
appears set to continue his battle for
supremacy with Messi and Griezmann
in La Liga.
