The 32-year-old, who moved level with Messi at the top of the all-time Champions League group stage goalscorers leaderboard on Wednesday after helping Madrid to beat Borussia Dortmund, was presented with his award in Paris on Thursday having just pipped his perennial rival.

“This is something I look forward to every year,” Ronaldo said.

“Thanks to my Real Madrid team-mates. And I want to thank the rest of the people who helped me reach this level.”

Ronaldo and Messi have won the Ballon d’Or between them every year since 2008.

Tottenham’s Harry Kane was the highest-ranked Englishman in 10th spot, while Chelsea’s N’Golo Kanté finished eighth. Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne was 14th, Chelsea’s Eden Hazard 19th and the Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea 20th.

Liverpool pair Sadio Mané and Philippe Coutinho were 23rd and 29th respectively.

2017 Ballon d’Or final standings

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

2. Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

3. Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain)

4. Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)

5. Luka Modric (Real Madrid)

6. Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)

7. Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain)

8. N’Golo Kanté (Chelsea)

9. Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

10. Harry Kane (Tottenham)

–

Source: Guardian UK

The post Cristiano Ronaldo beats Messi to win fifth Ballon d’Or appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The 29-year-old striker, who scored 24 goals in a historic season for the Foxes, was named on a 30-man list of nominees for the prestigious award, which is currently held by Barcelona star Messi.

France Football, the sole organisers of the prize given to the best footballer in the world following a split from FIFA, revealed Vardy was in contention in a tweet published on Monday evening.

The Sheffield-born player is the only Englishman nominated, while Real Madrid’s Bale represents Wales after his heroics at Euro 2016.

Vardy is not the only Leicester player whose achievements have been recognised, however. Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez – the PFA Players’ Player of the Year – is on the shortlist.

Manchester City and city rivals United will hope Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba threaten the top three when journalists begin the next round of voting, while West Ham’s free-kick specialist Dimitri Payet and Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris are also contenders.

Regular victors Messi and Ronaldo – the latter having endured a lean year by his usual prolific standards – will face stiff competition from the likes of Luis Suarez, Neymar and Robert Lewandowski.

Breakthrough stars Paulo Dybala, Antoine Griezmann and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will provide further cause for concern to the world game’s established top order.

Among the surprise omissions from the list are Manchester United keeper David De Gea, Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil and Juventus centre-back Leonardo Bonucci.

Ballon d’Or 2016 shortlist in full:

Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund)

Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)

Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

Paulo Dybala (Juventus)

Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid)

Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)

Gonzalo Higuain (Juventus)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Manchester United)

Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)

Koke (Atletico Madrid)

Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)

Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)

Luka Modric (Real Madrid)

Riyad Mahrez (Leicester)

Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Hugo Lloris (Tottenham)

Dimitri Payet (West Ham)

Paul Pogba (Manchester United)

Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)

Pepe (Real Madrid)

Neymar (Barcelona)

Rui Patricio (Sporting Lisbon)

Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)

Luis Suarez (Barcelona)

Jamie Vardy (Leicester)

Arturo Vidal (Bayern Munich)
–

Source: talksport

The post Leicester star Jamie Vardy only Englishman nominated for 2016 Ballon d’Or appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.