Sport - Cr7 Wins His Third Ballon D'or

MESSI AND NEUER WERE ALSO NOMINATED

Cristiano Ronaldo wins his third Ballon d'Or

• James: wins Puskas award for goal of the year/FIFA's Team of the Year

Cristiano Ronaldowon on Monday night his third Ballon d'Or award.

The Portuguese strikerwon four trophies (Champions League, Club World Cup, European Super Cup and Copa del Rey) withReal Madridin 2014.

In winning his third trophy, Cristiano is now only one away from Leo Messi and among a select group of players with three

CR7was the highest scorer in La Liga (31), Champions League (17) and winner of the Golden Boot. In 2014 he scored 61 times from 60 games (while playing for both Real Madrid and Portugal).

Real Madrid player wins vote ahead ofLeo MessiandManuel Neuer,regaining the trophy he won a year ago.

The Portuguese star has been awarded his third Ballon d'Or, the second in succession,with 37.66% of votes. Messi was second with 15.76% of the votes and the German, Manuel Neuer, third, attracting 15.72%. 2014 has been a magical year for Cristiano, in which the forward and his Real Madrid team conquered the Copa del Rey, the Champions League, the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup.

In winning his third trophy, Cristiano is now only one away from Leo Messi (winner of the award four years running) and among a select group of players with three; Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini and Marco Van Basten.

His spectacular figures and being collectively part of Real Madrid's outstanding results tipped the voting in favour of the Portuguese, who is confirmed as the current best player in the world and one of the greats in the history of football.