C. Ronaldo becomes Footballer Of The Year For Third Time/PHOTOS

Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo has been awarded the FIFA player of the year, edging Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer in the process.

For the second time in a row and third time overall, Portugal and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo was crowned as the best player on the planet after an incredible season that included the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup for Real Madrid‎

He said: "I want to continue to work as I have so far, to try and and win more titles, for my mother, for my father, for my son. To all the Portuguese people out there: I never thought that I would take this trophy back on three occasions. I want to become one of the greatest players of all time."

FIFA released the statistics of the vote:

Cristiano Ronaldo: 37.66%

Lionel Messi: 15.76%

Manuel Neuer: 15.72%.
See pictures of the event:

























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