Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has won the FIFA Men's Player of the Year award for the 2016/17 season at a ceremony held Monday in London.
The 32-year-old Portuguese international – who last term helped the Spanish team to their second successive UEFA Champions League title and 12th overall in European football's premier club competition – received the award ahead of two others in the final three, Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi and PSG and Brazil Neymar Jr.
"I want to mention Leo and Neymar , Real Madrid supporters, my teammates, my coach, they support all the year so I have to say thank you to them.
"I'm really glad. This is a great moment for me. I know I have fans all over the world so thank you for the support. I appreciate that,” Ronaldo said after being presented the award by the legendary Diego Maradona and the iconic “senior” Brazil’s Ronaldo.
In earlier awards on the day, Juventus and Italy’s Gianlugi Buffon won the goalkeeper of the year award while Barcelona and Holland’s Lieke Martens who was sensational in her country’s stunning run to Euro 2017 glory, was named the women’s player of the year.
For the FIFA world team of the year (best 11), Buffon, Alves, Marcelo, Ramos, Bonucci; Modric, Kroos and Iniesta; joined Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar in a 4-4-3 formation
