’Spectacular’ year for Cristiano, says Ronaldo

YOKOHAMA: Cristiano Ronaldo said he had answered his critics in style as he rounded off a “spectacular” year with a hat trick to win the Club World Cup for Real Madrid and add to his multitude of titles.

After his heroics floored Japan’s Kashima Antlers 4-2 in extra-time on Sunday, the Portuguese superstar summed up a remarkable season in which he has also lifted the Champions League, Super Cup, Euro 2016 and Ballon D’Or trophies.

“They always expect more of Cristiano,” said Ronaldo, referring to himself in the third person.

“It’s been a week full of joy after winning the Ballon d’Or too. I thank my teammates because without them Cristiano couldn’t win these individual awards,” he added.

Ronaldo showed why he was voted the world’s best player for a fourth time last week, but there were also the moments of self-indulgence that make him such a polarizing figure.

At one point in the first half, he even tripped over the ball after attempting one of his trademark stepovers.

But as a nail-biting final went into extra time, Real’s talisman pounced twice to bring the Spanish giants a second world club title in three years and fifth in total.

It capped an astonishing year in which Ronaldo helped Real become champions of Europe for an 11th time, added a Super Cup and led Portugal to a stunning Euro 2016 title.