The Citizen (Gauteng)

NEVER ANY DOUBT

#GOAT: RONALDO WINS 2017 BEST FIFA PLAYER-OF-THE-YEAR

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Real Madrid star joins Lionel Messi as five-time winner.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning last season saw him win the 2017 Best Fifa Men’s Player-of-the-Year trophy as Real Madrid dominated a star-studded awards ceremony in London last night.

The Portuguese ace, who has scored 44 goals in just 48 games for club and country so far this calendar year, played a major role in Real winning both La Liga and the Champions League.

He scored twice in a 4-1 win over Juventus in the continenta­l final at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on June 3.

Real boss Zinedine Zidane took the correspond­ing Manager-ofthe-Year award, with the Spanish giants providing five players in the Fifa 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 honour and the Ballon D’Or.

This year he saw off competitio­n from longstandi­ng Barcelona rival Lionel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar, with former Manchester United favourite Ronaldo receiving his trophy from Argentina great Diego Maradona and Brazil’s Ronaldo in a star-studded ceremony at the London Palladium theatre.

“Thanks a lot for voting for me,” said the Portuguese superstar.

“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. “I am really glad, this is a great moment for me.” – AFP

 ?? Picture: Reuters ?? CREAM OF THE CROP. Actor Idris Elba poses for a selfie with Fifa FIFPro World 11 players, from left, Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Paris Saint-Germain’s Dani Alves, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos,...
Picture: Reuters CREAM OF THE CROP. Actor Idris Elba poses for a selfie with Fifa FIFPro World 11 players, from left, Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Paris Saint-Germain’s Dani Alves, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos,...

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