Cristiano Ronaldo is world’s best player
15 Jan 2014 6:14 AM IST
Cristiano Ronaldo ended the four-year dominance of Lionel Messi when he was awarded the 2013 FIFA Ballon d’Or in Zurich on Monday.
The tearful 28-year-old Real Madrid and Portugal star, who won the award in 2008, had been the overwhelming favourite to pip Barcelona and Argentina wonder Messi, winner the previous four years, and France’s Franck Ribery, who claimed the treble with Bayern Munich in 2013.
Ronaldo won with 27.99% of the votes ahead of Messi (24.72%) while Ribery was third (23.36%) according to France Football, co-organisers of the award with FIFA.
‘There are no words to describe how I feel,’ said Ronaldo. I’m delighted, I want to thank all my team-mates, all my family in the room.
‘Those who know me know how many sacrifices I made to win this reward. ‘I want to thank all those who had faith in me and I want to speak again about (recently deceased Portugal legend) Eusebio and (recently deceased former South Afrca president) Madiba ( Nelson Mandela) and to pay tribute to them one last time.’
News of Ronaldo’s success filtered through from France Football just moments before the official announcement in Zurich.
Ronaldo, who was widely expected to win after news spread on social media earlier in the day that seven members of his family were joining him in Zurich and his club Real were transmitting the award ceremony live on their official television channel in a change to the programmed schedule, broke down in tears on stage during his victory speech.
Ribery, who won the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup with Bayern last season, before adding the European Supercup and Club World Cup before the turn of the year, had been the early front-runner.
But a controversial two-week extension to the voting deadline for international coaches, captains and media meant those casting their ballots could take into consideration Ronaldo’s remarkable hat-trick to beat Sweden in the World Cup play-offs in November. That was widely believed to have been enough to tip the scales in his favour.
However, with 66 goals in his 56 matches this year - more than Messi and Ribery’s combined 65 - no-one could deny Ronaldo was a worthy winner. It is the second time he has picked up the award and comes in a season in which he won nothing with either club or country, an unusual situation for a Ballon d’Or winner.
Five trophies clearly not enough for the Ballon D’Or: Ribery
ZURICH: Franck Ribery missed out on the 2013 Ballon d’Or accolade but said there was little more he could have done to win the award after helping Bayern Munich win five trophies in the year.
Ribery finished third in the voting despite enjoying his best season with Bayern as they won the domestic league and cup double, the Champions League, the European Super Cup and Club World Cup.
‘What more could I have done after winning all those titles,’ he told Bild newspaper on Tuesday. ‘It does not matter if you are second or third. I am not selfish and this title is not my goal.
‘I prefer to win everything again with Bayern this season. That is what is important. Obviously I would have liked to have won but it’s alright.’
The tearful 28-year-old Real Madrid and Portugal star, who won the award in 2008, had been the overwhelming favourite to pip Barcelona and Argentina wonder Messi, winner the previous four years, and France’s Franck Ribery, who claimed the treble with Bayern Munich in 2013.
Ronaldo won with 27.99% of the votes ahead of Messi (24.72%) while Ribery was third (23.36%) according to France Football, co-organisers of the award with FIFA.
‘There are no words to describe how I feel,’ said Ronaldo. I’m delighted, I want to thank all my team-mates, all my family in the room.
‘Those who know me know how many sacrifices I made to win this reward. ‘I want to thank all those who had faith in me and I want to speak again about (recently deceased Portugal legend) Eusebio and (recently deceased former South Afrca president) Madiba ( Nelson Mandela) and to pay tribute to them one last time.’
News of Ronaldo’s success filtered through from France Football just moments before the official announcement in Zurich.
Ronaldo, who was widely expected to win after news spread on social media earlier in the day that seven members of his family were joining him in Zurich and his club Real were transmitting the award ceremony live on their official television channel in a change to the programmed schedule, broke down in tears on stage during his victory speech.
Ribery, who won the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup with Bayern last season, before adding the European Supercup and Club World Cup before the turn of the year, had been the early front-runner.
But a controversial two-week extension to the voting deadline for international coaches, captains and media meant those casting their ballots could take into consideration Ronaldo’s remarkable hat-trick to beat Sweden in the World Cup play-offs in November. That was widely believed to have been enough to tip the scales in his favour.
However, with 66 goals in his 56 matches this year - more than Messi and Ribery’s combined 65 - no-one could deny Ronaldo was a worthy winner. It is the second time he has picked up the award and comes in a season in which he won nothing with either club or country, an unusual situation for a Ballon d’Or winner.
Five trophies clearly not enough for the Ballon D’Or: Ribery
ZURICH: Franck Ribery missed out on the 2013 Ballon d’Or accolade but said there was little more he could have done to win the award after helping Bayern Munich win five trophies in the year.
Ribery finished third in the voting despite enjoying his best season with Bayern as they won the domestic league and cup double, the Champions League, the European Super Cup and Club World Cup.
‘What more could I have done after winning all those titles,’ he told Bild newspaper on Tuesday. ‘It does not matter if you are second or third. I am not selfish and this title is not my goal.
‘I prefer to win everything again with Bayern this season. That is what is important. Obviously I would have liked to have won but it’s alright.’
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