Cristiano Ronaldo wins Ballon d’Or, given to the world’s best soccer player, for a record-tying fifth time. He matches Lionel Messi’s mark.
Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Ballon d’Or, given to the world’s best soccer player, for the fifth time, tying Lionel Messi for the most wins of the award.
Barcelona star Messi and Neymar – who left Barcelona to join Paris Saint-Germain in the offseason – rounded out the top three finalists.
Ronaldo, a forward for Real Madrid, became the first player to score in each of the six group games in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, capping off another big year.
“Of course, I feel happy, it’s a big moment in my career,” Ronaldo said. “It’s something I hope to win every year.”
He has finished first or second for the Ballon d’Or every year since 2010 and he or Messi has won it every year since 2008.
Contributing: The Associated Press
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