Cristiano Ronaldo Wins 5th Ballon d’Or

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo presented with Ballon d'Or award in Paris on Thursday

Cristiano Ronaldo was in Paris to collect the Ballon d'Or at the foot of the Eiffel Tower on Thursday evening, another spectacular night to run with those he had in Madrid, Málaga and Munich, and in Cardiff particularly. At last, those were the minutes that checked 2017 and they were his. Which is the reason this trophy, awarded by France Football, never genuinely possessed by Fifa, and first granted to Stanley Matthews in 1956, passed on to Alfredo Di Stéfano the year after, and gave from that point to the continent's best player, season via season, is his as well – for a record-equalling fifth time.

Ronaldo says, “Of course I feel happy. This is something I look forward to every year, The trophies won last year helped to win this award. Thanks to my Real Madrid team-mates. And I want to thank the rest of the people who helped me reach this level.”

Ronaldo, who additionally won the FIFA Men's Player of the Year award in October, added the 2017 Ballon d'Or to his past wins in 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2016. He scored 42 goals in all competitions for Real last season, and furthermore netted 15 times in European World Cup qualifying.

Messi and Ronaldo have now shared the last 10 Ballons d'Or since Ronaldo's initial win after leading Manchester United to the 2007-08 Champions League title.I hope to play at this level for a few more years, I hope the battle with Messi continues, things happen for a reason,” he included.