Ronaldo: Few players maintain their level year after year -- I'm one of them

Cristiano Ronaldo says winning his fourth Ballon d'Or is just as special as winning his first. 

He won it for the first time in 2008 as a Manchester United and has now won it in three of the last four seasons as a Real Madrid player, taking his tally to four. 

Only Lionel Messi, with five, has won it more than the Portuguese star, who won the Champions League and the European CHampionships this year, 

“It's A great honour to receive my fourth Ballon d'Or," Ronaldo told France Football.  

"The emotion is like the first one. It’s the dream come true again. I never thought in my mind to win the Ballon d'Or four times, so I’m so pleased and happy. 

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

"So as you can imagine, I feel so proud and happy to receive this amazing and beautiful ball."

He added: "When it's the first one the excitment is different, but the emotion is the same. In 2008 I felt great joy, a dream completed, a great emotion (...) I was 23 and it was a unique moment. 

"But how I feel today is a little similar to then, too. 

"It's my work, I sacrifice a lot so that everything goes well_ I always put my team first, because without Madrid or Portugal it would be impossible to win a trophy like this.

"There are few that maintain their level year after year, you can count on one hand those that do, and I am one of them. That fills me with pride."