Cristiano Ronaldo Wins Fourth Ballon d'Or

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| 12 December 2016

Portuguese national football team captain Cristiano Ronaldo has won the prestigious Ballon d'Or award for a fourth time. The 31-year-old is now one behind Barcelona's Messi, who took the honour for a fifth time last year. He has now won the Ballon d'Or in 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2016, with Messi the only other recipient of the award since winning it for the first time in 2009.

Ronaldo helped Real Madrid win last season's Champions League and scored three goals as Portugal won Euro 2016.

"I never thought in my mind that I would win the Golden Ball four times. I am pleased. I feel so proud and happy"

"I have the opportunity to thank all of my team-mates, the national team, Real Madrid, all of the people and players who helped me to win this individual award."

The Ballon d'Or is voted for by 173 journalists from around the world. It has been awarded by France Football every year since 1956, but for the past six years it became the Fifa Ballon d'Or in association with world football's governing body and was awarded to the world's best player.

However, Fifa ended its association with the award in September. Fifa will hand out its own prize for the world's best men's player, along with the best women's player and team of the year, at the Best Fifa Football Awards ceremony in Zurich on 9 January.

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