Cristiano Ronaldo wins the 2016 Ballon d'Or ahead of Leo Messi
The Real Madrid man was given the prize for the fourth time in his professional career
Cristiano Ronaldo has won the 2016 Ballon d'Or and is now just one away from the amount won by Lionel Messi, who has won the prize for the world's best footballer five times.
Despite Lionel Messi's individual numbers in 2016 with Barcelona and Argentina, 'France Football' gave the award to the Real Madrid man, who will end the year with worse numbers than the Argentine. Messi was second; Antoine Griezmann third.
The third Champions League won by Ronaldo and his first European Championships have proved definitive in the deciding of the winner. He'd previously won the Champions League in 2008 (with Manchester United) and in 2014 (with Madrid). He didn't shine in this year's final, but he did score the winning penalty.
Ronaldo's role in the final of the Euros was testimonial, as Portugal clinched the title by beating France after extra-time. Injured early on, he cheered on from the sidelines.
His third title of the year was the European Super Cup, which Madrid won 3-2 against Sevilla. Except Ronaldo did not play in the game due to the knee injury he sustained in the Euros.
In La Liga, Real Madrid finished second behind Barcelona and in the Copa del Rey, which Barça also won, they were eliminated at the last 32 stage after fielding Denis Cherysheve when he should have been suspended.
Ronaldo's fourth Ballon d'Or is a prize given exclusively by 'France Football' after their relationship with FIFA broke off earlier this year. World football's governing body will award 'The Best' in January.
Ballon d'Or top five:
1. Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
2. Messi (Barcelona)
3. Griezmann (Atletico)
4. Suarez (Barcelona)
5. Neymar (Barcelona)
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