Ballon d’Or 2017: Cristiano Ronaldo Wins Golden Ball For 5th Time; Beats Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr

The ace footballer beat Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr to win the prestigious award for the second time in a row.

Updated: December 8, 2017 10:31 AM IST

By India.com Sports Desk

Ronaldo
File image of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Paris, Dec 8: Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo on Thursday won the Ballon d’Or 2017 for the fifth time equalling rival Lionel Messi‘s record of winning the ‘Golden Ball’. The ace footballer beat Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr to win the prestigious award for the second time in a row.

The other players shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or 2017 include N’Golo Kante – Chelsea, Luka Modric – Real Madrid, Marcelo – Real Madrid, David De Gea – Manchester United, Mats Hummels – Bayern Munich among others.

In the last season, Cristiano Ronaldo had helped Real Madrid win the Champions League. The club had also won their first La Liga title since 2012. He had earlier won the award in 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2016.

Expressing gratitude to his Real Madrid team-mates, the Portugal international said, “And I want to thank the rest of the people who helped me reach this level. This is something I look forward to every year.”

While Messi finished at the second spot, Paris St Germain’s Neymar Jr was third. 32-year-old Ronaldo had also won the 2017 Best FIFA men’s player of the year award for the second time.

The 4th spot was given to Gianluigi Buffon from Juventus FC, the 5th position went to  Luka Modric of Real Madrid, 6th to Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos. The PFA Player of the Year N’Golo Kante of Chelsea FC was awarded the 8th position.

The Ballon d’Or 2017 was held by French Football magazine on December 7 in Paris, France.

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