Cristiano Ronaldo wins Ballon d’Or for the third time

There was no surprise as Cristiano Ronaldo was named World Player of the Year at the Ballon d'Or gala in Zurich.

The Portugal and Real Madrid star beat off competition from four-time winner Lionel Messi and German World Cup-winning goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to win the trophy for the second year in a row and third time overall. Ronaldo was a convincing winner after his exploits during a year highlighted by Real claiming the European Cup for the tenth time in May. He received 37.6 per cent of the vote by national managers and captains, well ahead of Messi on 15.76 per cent and Neuer on 15.72 per cent. Meanwhile, the award for Women's World Player of the Year went to Germany's Nadine Kessler, ahead of US striker Abby Wambach and Brazilian star Marta.