Real Madrid forward, Cristiano Ronaldo has been named as the Ballon d’Or winner for 2017 by France Football. It’s the fifth time Ronaldo will be taking home the coveted award, as he draws level with rival, Lionel Messi of Barcelona.
Ronaldo has previously won the award in 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2016.
The 32-year-old Portuguese, who had a brilliant year for club and country, beat off competition from Messi, Neymar, Gianluigi Buffon and Luka Modric to emerge as 2017 winner.
“Of course I feel happy. This is something I look forward to every year,” Ronaldo said at the event held at the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
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Football fans around the world took to their social media accounts to react as Ronaldo drew level with Messi, having been way behind the Argentine at some point.
Here are some of the best reactions;
5'th Bdor!! From 1-4 To 5-5
The Biggest Comeback in the history of World Football! The best player in the World!! @Cristiano 😎👌 SIIIIIIIIII#BallondOr2017 pic.twitter.com/poUf1cv7HX
— Saiyaara ✨ (@BeingKushSharma) December 7, 2017
Cristiano Ronaldo’s career:
🏆 27 Titles
🥇 Ballons d’Or x5
🥇 UEFA POTY x3
🥇 FIFA’s The Best x2
🥇 FIFA POTY
⚽️ 620 Goals
🅰️ 203 Assists
🎩 48 Hatricks#Legend #BallondOr#BallondOr2017 pic.twitter.com/OJMjkkW9mA
— Vishal Gautam (@vigtam) December 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/SalahioMane/status/938849183880036352
Cristiano 946 points
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Messi 670 points
Neymar 361 points pic.twitter.com/NIAhs01jcz
— M•A•J (@UltraSuristic_) December 7, 2017
To the man who never bottled a 4-1 lead, kept it going while working very hard.
Congratulations @Cristiano
You've always been made in Manchester 👏#BallonDOr2017#ballondor
— ƊeLta (@Dinnydavinci) December 7, 2017
BEST OF THIS GENERATION! 😍 #BallondOr #BallondOr2017 pic.twitter.com/g85f4PcVYK
— Ali (@aliatharch) December 7, 2017
At 32 years and 10 months, Cristiano Ronaldo is the second oldest forward in HISTORY to win the Ballon d’Or.#BallondOr2017 pic.twitter.com/ZqN99TDHg7
— Real Madrid Stats (@RMadrid_Stats) December 7, 2017
Congratulations ororo @Cristiano! ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️ From 4-1 to 5-5, 32yrs old! Never underestimate the HEART of a CHAMPION✊ #BallondOr2017
— izuKwacha/Madrid$$ (@kwa_cha) December 7, 2017
Congratulations Ronnie. Well deserved. #BallondOr2017
I am one of those rare ones who adores both Messi and Ronaldo. So the last decade has been thoroughly enjoyable.
— Sadikshya (@Sadikshya_) December 7, 2017
4:1 to 5:5 best ever 😍😍😍😍😍😍#BallondOr #BallondOr2017 #BallondOr #CristianoRonaldo #Ronaldo siuuuuuuuuu😍😍😍😍 @UltraSuristic_ @realmadriden @Cristiano @ImRo45 pic.twitter.com/TnOGNV6YZd
— Chandra mouli (@mouli973) December 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/TODAYDigest/status/938878046542680064
#BallondOr#BallondOr2017
Love or Loathe him Cristiano is well among the top 3 footballers to have ever kicked a ball (adequate respect to Pele and Maradona). No one achieves this much without being extraordinary. GOAT pic.twitter.com/bkTGUblJUs
— Music n me (@entadaplace) December 7, 2017
Haha…So funny how Messi fans now value goals than trophy..when @Cristiano Ronaldo was out scoring Messi they Shouted Trophy #Ballondor2017
— J.I (@JIiko_MUSIC) December 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/Zander_mufc/status/938857759201742848
Eifle Tower in Gold in order to Award @Cristiano #BallondOr 😍😍#BallondOr2017 pic.twitter.com/XsUObV9fLp
— Aminaنیلاب (@AminaNilab) December 7, 2017
The Portugal international scored a total of 49 goals in all competitions for Real and Portugal, and also became the first player in Champions League history to score in each of his club’s group-stage matches.
TOP 10 #BallondOr2017
1️⃣ Cristiano 🇵🇹 🏆
2️⃣ Messi 🇦🇷
3️⃣ Neymar 🇧🇷
4️⃣ Buffon 🇮🇹
5️⃣ Modrić 🇭🇷
6️⃣ Ramos 🇪🇸
7️⃣ Mbappé 🇫🇷
8️⃣ Kanté 🇫🇷
9️⃣ Lewandowski 🇵🇱
🔟 Kane 🏴 🦁 pic.twitter.com/pLgHVuz29C
— Zona TUDN (@Zona_TUDN) December 7, 2017
Ronaldo also won the Champions League, La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup with Real Madrid.
