Real Madrid star forward Cristiano Ronaldo has beaten Barcelona striker Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to reclaim the Ballon d'Or world footballer of the year award.
The Portuguese international scored 51 goals in the 2013-14 season, with also helping Real Madrid to win the Champions League.
Ronaldo said that he would like to thank all of those who voted for him, his president, his coach and Real Madrid, adding that to win the trophy at the end of it was something incredibly unique, the BBC reported.
While Ronaldo defended his world player of the year status with 37.66% of all votes, Argentina counterpart Lionel Messi came second by securing 15.76%.
German keeper Manuel Neuer could only secure third position by securing 15.72% votes.
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