CRISTIANO RONALDO has won the Ballon d’Or for a fourth time after seeing off rival Lionel Messi.
The Real Madrid and Portugal superstar, who led his country to success at Euro 2016, defeated the Barcelona star.
Ronaldo also won the Champions League with his club side and takes the top individual honour in the game from Messi, last year’s champion.
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Congratulations to @Cristiano on winning his fourth Ballon d'Or!#HalaMadrid #RealMadrid pic.twitter.com/zEZScjRYaZ— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 12, 2016
The Portuguese, who is in Japan with Los Blancos for the Club World Cup, said: “I never imagined winning this trophy four times. I’m really happy and fulfilled.
“When it’s the first time the emotion is always special. But I feel today like I did in 2008.
“I’m so proud and happy to receive this amazing and beautiful ball.”
Ronaldo now sits one behind Messi’s record of five Ballon d’Or titles.
