Portugal and Real Madrid forward, Cristiano Ronaldo has won the FIFA ‘Best Player’ award for 2016.
Ronaldo won the award on the back of a fantastic year that saw Real Madrid win the UEFA Champions League and Portugal the EURO 2016 championship.
He had already won the Ballon d’Or after his third Champions League title, thanks in major part to his 16 goals in 12 games, as well as triumphing with Portugal at Euro 2016 — the country’s first major prize.01-09
The honour makes Ronaldo the first man to win the FIFA “Best” men’s player distinction after world football’s governing body launched the new award series, ending its six-year collaboration with France Football magazine for the Ballon d’Or.
“2016 was the best year of my career,” Ronaldo said after being handed the prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
“It was a year that was magnificent at a personal level and at a sports level,” he added on the stage in Zurich.
“It is not the first time but it is the first time for this award. 2016, wow. I want to thank my team-mates. I was able to achieve what I could.
“I would like to think all those who voted for me, the fans the media. I don’t have anything to add, awards speak for themselves.