Portugal legend and Real Madrid forward, Cristiano Ronaldo retained his crown as the best footballer in the world as he was Monday named as the Best FIFA Men’s Player for the second year running.
The glamorous event was streamed live on FIFA TV monitored via the FIFA website.
Ronaldo was the overwhelming favourite among a trio that included his perennial rival, Lionel Messi and new contender to the crown, Neymar Jr.
Ronaldo played pivotal role in seeing Real Madrid winning the La Liga and Champions League double last season.
The former Manchester United forward remarked he was returning to England for the first time since his exit from Manchester United and his retuning to England had been fruitful.
He had edged out perennial rival Lionel Messi and the Argentinean’s former Barcelona team-mate Neymar to win the award, which he also claimed in its inaugural year in 2016.
Ronaldo’s successes with Madrid last term were crucial in him securing yet another individual accolade, with the 32-year-old scoring 42 goals across all competitions.
The most notable achievement for Madrid was becoming the first club to retain the Champions League title since its inception in 1992, and they also wrestled the domestic crown from bitter rivals Barcelona.
Ronaldo’s goals were vital on both fronts, with his haul of 25 in La Liga making him the division’s third top scorer behind Messi and Luis Suarez, while he also netted 12 in 13 Champions League matches, including two against Juventus in the final.
Speaking when he received his award at London Palladium, Ronaldo was quick to pay tribute to Messi and Neymar, who spent the evening sitting alongside him on the front row.
“Thank you, a lot, to the guys who voted for me. I must also mention Leo and Neymar, for being here,” he said.
“Real Madrid – the coach, the supporters and the president – they support all of the year so I say thank you to them.
“I’m really glad to win consecutive awards. This is a great moment for me. Thank you to all the fans around the world for the support. I appreciate that, thank you very much.
“It’s great to be here with these great players and I am so happy guys, thanks you so much.”
Although Messi’s season was not recognised with the individual gong, the Barcelona hero did enjoy a remarkable campaign on a personal level, scoring 54 goals in 52 games on all fronts, plus 16 assists.
It is the second successive year that Messi has finished runner-up to Ronaldo, while the former Manchester United attacker is also the favourite for the 2017 Ballon d’Or, having taken the honour last year.
That would tie the current era’s defining players on five Ballons d’Or apiece.
Neymar replaced Antoine Griezmann in this year’s top three, with the Brazilian having swapped Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record €222million transfer in August.
This is the second edition of the Best FIFA Football Awards, which are different to the Ballon d’Or.
A version of the Ballon d’Or has been awarded by France Football magazine since 1956, but world football’s governing body has ended its association with that honour.
Instead, it introduced the Best FIFA Football Awards, with Ronaldo the first recipient of its main prize in January.
Voting for the player and coach categories was by national team captains and managers, selected journalists and, for the first time, an online poll of fans.
Each counted for 25% of the total. Madrid dominated the awards ceremony; with boss Zinedine Zidane named Best FIFA Men’s Coach and Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Sergio Ramos and Toni Kroos joining Ronaldo in the FIFA FIFPro XI of 2017.
Juventus veteran Gianluigi Buffon was named as Best FIFA Goalkeeper and also lined up in the dream team, while Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud claimed the Puskas Award for the best goal of the year – his remarkable overhead back heel volley against Crystal Palace in January.
Netherlands’ triumphant Euro 2017 campaign saw them dominate the women’s awards, with Sarina Wiegman named Best FIFA Women’s Coach and Lieke Martens scooping the player’s prize.