For the second year running, superstar footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo retained his FIFA men’s player of the year crown last night (Monday October 23, 2017), beating “arch rival” Lionel Messi and Neymar to earn the accolade of the world’s best footballer. The Real Madrid star picked up the award ahead of his rivals from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain on the back of triumphs in La Liga and the Champions League last season. Ronaldo has scored 44 goals for club and country so far in 2017 and scored twice in the Champions League final in June as Real retained the trophy and became European champions for a record-extending 12th time.
Ronaldo who attended the awards night with members of his son, partner and other members of his family after receiving the award said, “Thank you a lot guys for voting for me. I would like to give a mention to Leo (Messi) and Neymar for being here. Real Madrid supporters, my team-mates, coach, president, all support all through the year so I have to say thank you to them. We are in England for the first time and I win consecutive awards so I’m really glad, it’s a great moment for me. FIFA gives the opportunity to fans, I know I have fans all over the world (so) thanks for the support, I appreciate it… I’m so happy, thank you very much.”
Other winners at the classy awards night include Lieke Martens (Holland, Barcelona) who walked away with Women’s Player of the Year; Francis Kone, Fair Play Awards; Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Goalkeeper of The year; Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Puskas Goal of the Year awards; Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid), Male Coach of the year; Sarina Wiegman (Holland), Female Coach of the year while Celtic FC ran away with Fans of the Year award. The show, which held in London was hosted by movie star, Idris Elba.