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Cristiano Ronaldo wins fifth Ballon d'Or

December 7, 2017

Real Madrid star Ronaldo beat Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Paris St-Germain's Neymar to the award in Paris. It's the Portuguese striker's fifth victory overall, drawing him level with Messi.

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Fußballspieler Cristiano Ronaldo
Image: Getty Images/AFP/F. Coffrini

Cristiano Ronaldo has been crowned the best footballer in the world after winning the prestigious Ballon d'Or for the fifth time.

The Portuguese superstar beat rivals Lionel Messi and Neymar to the prize, awarded by French publication France Football since 1956, at a glittering ceremony in Paris.

Ronaldo's fifth Ballon d'Or triumph draws him level with Argentinian dribbler Messi - indeed the pair have won every title going back to 2008. 

This year, Ronaldo scored 25 goals as Real Madrid won La Liga. He also found the net 12 times as the Spanish giants lifted their 12th Champions League title, including a brace in the 4-1 win over Juventus in the final.

"Of course, I feel happy, it's a big moment in my career," said Ronaldo. "It's something I hope to win every year."

mf (afp, reuters)