Ronaldo wins fifth Ballon d’Or

Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded the Ballon d’Or for world player of the year on Thursday for a joint-record fifth time, going level with Lionel Messi as the player to have won the prize the most times. Ronaldo won the award, handed out by magazine France Football, for the second consecutive year having led his side to the La Liga title with 25 goals and a successive Champions League crown, netting 12 goals

“I feel very happy, it’s a fantastic moment in my career,” Ronaldo said.

SOLO JOINS RACE FOR US SOCCER PRESIDENT

Former US women’s team goalkeeper Hope Solo joined the race for US Soccer Federation presidency on Thursday. Solo, 36, announced her candidacy on Facebook in a post titled “Why I’m running for President of U.S. Soccer”.

UEFA TO REJECT MILAN PLAN FOR TURNAROUND

Italian club AC Milan has failed to convince top soccer officials in Europe that it has a plan to cut losses and finance growth, European football’s governing body will rule on Friday. The ruling could lead to severe penalties, both on and off the field.

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PERU CAPTAIN BANNED FOR A YEAR

Peru captain Paolo Guerrero will miss the World Cup after FIFA banned him for one year over a positive test for cocaine. The ban imposed by FIFA’s disciplinary committee covers “all types of matches” and was backdated to start on Nov. 3, soccer’s world body said on Friday.

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