Soccer: Ronaldo named world’s best

LONDON— Cristiano Ronaldo caught up with Lionel Messi, becoming a five-time winner of FIFA’s best player award.

The Real Madrid forward was crowned player of the year on Monday at the FIFA Best ceremony at the London Palladium attended by runner-up Messi and third-placed Neymar.

A second successive honour for Ronaldo was expected. In addition to Spanish league and Spanish Super Cup success, Ronaldo scored twice in the Champions League final against Juventus to win European soccer’s elite competition for the third time in four seasons.

Ronaldo’s coach at Madrid, Zinedine Zidane, was crowned coach of the year.

The women’s award honoured the Netherlands’ success at the European Championship in August. Lieke Martens, who scored in the final win over Denmark, won the player’s award and Sarina Wiegman collected the coaching accolade.

BIELLO FEELS IMPACT: The Montreal Impact fired head coach Mauro Biello. The move came a day after Montreal ended its Major Legue Soccer season with a loss at home to New England.

The 11-17-6 club finished ninth in the Eastern Conference and missed the playoffs for the first time in three years.

Biello’s assistants Jason Di Tullio and Wilfred Nancy were also let go.

Biello’s record was 37-35-22.