Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo, seen here reacting during a match against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, has been named winner of the 2017 Ballon d'Or. (EPA photo)PARIS: Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded the Ballon d'Or for world player of the year on Thursday for a joint-record fifth time, going level with eternal rival and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi as the player to have won the prize the most times. Ronaldo collected the trophy in a glitzy ceremony at the Eiffel Tower in the French capital, presented by former France player David Ginola. Messi came second while Paris St Germain forward Neymar Jr, the most expensive player in the world, came third; veteran Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon finished fourth and Real midfielder Luka Modric came fifth. The Ballon d'Or was first awarded in 1956 and was partnered with Fifa from 2010 to 2015, until becoming its own entity once again.

Source: Bangkok Post December 07, 2017 20:12 UTC