Cristiano Ronaldo wins third Ballon d'Or... and targets number four

Cristiano Ronaldo wins third Ballon d'Or... and targets number four

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo added to his endless list of incredible achievements by winning the Ballon d'Or - the award attributed to the world's best football player - for the second consecutive year and the third time in his career.

The Real Madrid man beat Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer into second and third place respectively in the ceremony held in Zurich tonight. 

Even by his own remarkable standards 2014 was a special year for Ronaldo, who himself admitted it was probably his best ever.

He scored a total of 61 goals in 60 matches in the calendar year, and set a new record for Champions League goals in a single season, netting 17 as he helped Real Madrid finally end their quest to become champions of Europe for a tenth time.

It was therefore little surprise when Thierry Henry announced the name of the winner at the expansive FIFA Gala. Ronaldo obtained 36.77% of the votes, more than Messi (15.76%) and Neuer (15.72%) combined. 

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Hunger to be the best driving Ronaldo to ever greater heights

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Ronaldo was overcome with emotion when he won the Ballon d'Or 12 months ago, but this time round the 29-year-old was confident and relaxed as he collected the award. 

"I'm very happy. This gives me motivation to keep working hard, as I've done up to now, and to win more of these awards. I hope to equal Messi next year," he said before ending his victory speech in a curious manner with what he subsequently explained was the battle cry used by he and his team-mates at Real Madrid. 

Portugal coach Fernando Santos was one of the first to give his reaction. "Naturally I'm very happy with the news, as I'm sure all the Portuguese people are. It was an entirely just victory for someone who in my opinion is currently the best player in the world without a shadow of doubt."

by Tom Kundert