Ronaldo Beats Messi To Ballon d’Or Award

Portugal and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has won the 2016 Ballon d'Or award for the best player in Europe. 

Ronaldo, 31, finished ahead of Argentina and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi to claim the award for the fourth time.

Ronaldo who topped the poll of 173 journalists worldwide, adds to the awards he won in 2008, 2013 and 2014.

The 31-year-old helped Real Madrid win last season's UEFA Champions League and captained Portugal to the Euro 2016 title.

The former Manchester United forward scored 51 goals in 54 games for club and country in 2016.

Meanwhile FIFA will hand out their own prize for the world's best men's player, along with the best women's player and team of the year, at the Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony in Zurich on 9 January. 

Ballon d'Or Ranking

1. Cristiano Ronaldo 2. Lionel Messi
3. Antoine Griezmann
4. Luis Suarez
5. Neymar

5. Neymar

6. Gareth Bale

7. Riyad Mahrez

8. Jamie Vardy

9. Pepe, Gianluigi Buffon

11. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

12. Rui Patricio

13. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

14. Arturo Vidal, Paul Pogba

16. Robert Lewandowski

17. Dimitri Payet, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos