Portuguese declared ‘the best’

LONDON: Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning past 12 months has seen him win the 2017 Best FIFA Men’s Player of the Year trophy as Real Madrid dominated a star-studded awards ceremony in London late on Monday.

The Portuguese ace, who has scored 44 goals in just 48 games for club and country so far this year, played a major role for the Spanish giants as they won both the La Liga and the Champions League titles.

He scored twice in the 4-1 win over Juventus in the European final.

Ronaldo saw off competition from longstanding Barcelona rival Lionel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian star Neymar, the world’s most expensive player.

Real boss Zinedine Zidane took the corresponding manager of the year award, with the Spanish giants providing as many as five players in the FIFPro team of the year.

Ronaldo won the inaugural Best FIFA men’s player of the year award last year following the end of a six-year merger between the FIFA honor and the Ballon D’Or.

The 32-year-old previously won the FIFA World Player of the Year award, the precursor to the Best FIFA award, in 2008 while he was at Manchester United.

“Thanks a lot for voting for me,” said the Portuguese star after receiving his trophy from Argentina great Diego Maradona and Brazil’s Ronaldo at the London Palladium theater.

“I mention Leo and Neymar, great to be here. Real Madrid supporters, my team-mates, my coach, they all support me all year.

“We are in England for the first time and I win consecutive awards,” he added. “This is a great moment for me. I have fans all over the world.”

— AFP