An emotional Ronaldo could not hold back his tears and joy as he collects his award from Pele, who earlier during the award received a legend award. Ronaldo won with 27.99% of the votes ahead of Messi (24.72%) while Ribery was third with (23.36%) . In an emotion laden voice Ronaldo on receiving the award took time to thank his family, friends and team mates
"There are no words to describe this moment," he says, before completely breaking down. "First of all I have to say a great thanks to all of my team-mates with the club and the national team. Without all of their efforts this would not have been possible. I am very happy, it is very difficult to win this award. "Everybody that has been involved with me on a personal level I have to thank. And I don't want to forget to mention Eusebio. "My girlfriend, my friends, my son. It is a tremendously emotional moment. All I can say is thank you to everybody that has been involved.And if I have forgotten
anyone, I'm sorry, but I'm just deeply moved."
Speaking further to.L'equippe after having received the award he took time to acknowledge the worthiness of his competitors, Messi and Ribery. " If the people gave it to me, it is probably because I deserve it. But Messi or Ribery deserved the Ballon d'Or too. i just won it"
Ronaldo win tonight ended Messi's four year dominance of the award. For Messi, sporting a striking red dinner jacket, Ronaldo's win didn't change very much. "I would have loved to have won, but as it is the motivation is the same to keep growing,improving and winning things," he commented via Barcelona's twitter page.
News of Ronaldo's success filtered through from France Football just moments before the official announcement in Zurich. Ronaldo, who was widely expected to win after news spread on social media earlier in the day that seven members of his family were joining him in Zurich and his club Real were transmitting the award ceremony live on their official television channel in a change to the programmed schedule, broke down in tears on stage during his victory speech.
Ribery, who won the Champions League,Bundesliga and German Cup with Bayern last season, before adding the European Supercup and Club World Cup before the turn of the year, had been the early front-runner. But a controversial two-week extension to the voting deadline for international coaches, captains and media meant those casting their ballots could take into consideration Ronaldo's remarkable hat-trick to beat Sweden in the World Cup play-offs in November. That was widely believed to have been enough to tip the scales in his favour.
It is the second time he has picked up the award and comes in a season in which he won nothing with either club or country, an unusual situation for a baloon d'or winner. As expected, Bayern's Jupp Heynckes, who retired following their historic treble in May,won the coach's award. German goalkeeper Nadine Angerer was named women's Ballon d'Or winner while Germany.coach Silvia Neid won the women's coach award.
A special honorary Ballon d'Or was given to Brazilian legend Pele, who never qualified for the award during his playing career as he never plied his trade in European club football. From its inception in 1956 until 2010, the Ballon d'Or was awarded to the best player in Europe and the FIFA World Player of the Year award was only inaugurated in 1991, before ending in 2009 when it was assimilated into the Ballon d'Or.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic won the Ferenc Puskas best goal award for his stunning, acrobatic overhead kick from 40 yards for Sweden in a friendly against England.Former IOC president Jacques Rogge was given the president's prize for a "remarkable personality in sport".
In the team of the year, Bayern's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, full-back and captain Philipp Lahm and Ribery were joined by Barcelona's right-back Dani Alves, midfielders Andres Iniesta.and Xavi and Messi, as well as Ronaldo and his Real team-mate centre-back Sergio Ramos, and Paris Saint-Germain pair Ibrahimovic and centre-back Thiago Silva.
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