Sports
CRISTIANO Ronaldo’s stunning last season saw him win the 2017 Best FIFA men’s player of the year trophy as Real Madrid dominated a star-studded awards ceremony in London on Monday.
The Portuguese ace, who has scored 44 goals in just 48 games for club and country so far this calendar year, played a major role in Real Madrid winning both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.
He scored twice in a 4-1 win over Juventus in the continental final at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on June 3.
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane took the corresponding manager of the year award, with the Spanish giants providing five players in the FIFA team of the year.
Ronaldo won the inaugural Best FIFA men’s player of the year award last year following the end of a six-year merger between the FIFA honour and the Ballon D’Or.
This year he saw off competition from longstanding Barcelona rival Lionel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar, with former Manchester United favourite Ronaldo receiving his trophy from Argentina great Diego Maradona and Brazil’s Ronaldo in a star-studded ceremony at the London Palladium theatre.
“Thanks a lot for voting for me,” said the Portuguese superstar.
“I mention Leo and Neymar, great to be here. Real Madrid supporters, my teammates, my coach, they all support me all year.
“We are in England for the first time and I win consecutive awards,” he added. “I am really glad, this is a great moment for me. I have fans all over the world.”
Zidane won out ahead of Chelsea’s Antonio Conte and Juventus’s Massimiliano Allegri to be crowned men’s coach of the year after becoming the first man to oversee a successful defence of the European Cup in the Champions League era.
“I would like to thank all of the players for making this possible,” said Zidane. “This is a very special prize.”
Real’s superb campaign was recognised in a FIFA XI that featured Ronaldo and club-mates Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Marcelo and Sergio Ramos.
The team was completed by goalkeeper of the year Gianluigi Buffon, Leonardo Bonucci, Dani Alves, Andres Iniesta, Messi and Neymar. – AFP
– Oct 24, 2017 @ 08:53 GMT |
Tags: Antonio Conte Juventus Lionel Messi Massimiliano Allegri Neymar Real Madrid Ronaldo wins 2017 FIFA Best Player UEFA Champions League Zinedine Zidane
