NYON: Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded UEFA Men’s Player of the Year 2017 prize on Friday for being instrumental in his club’s consecutive champions league triumphs in 2016 and 2017.
The award, which was presented after UEFA Champions League 2017-18 official draw, has been won by the Portuguese star thrice in 2014, 2016 and 2017 since the prize’s inauguration in 2011. Barcelona’s Lionel Messi has won the award twice in 2011 and 2015, while team mate Andres Iniesta overcome the odds in 2012 and Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery won it once in 2013.
Speaking to the audience after recieving his award, Ronaldo thanked his teammates from club and national team for motivating the Portuguese who said that every season he aims to win everything that is possible.
The 32-year-old had competition in Messi and Juventus’ Gianluigi Buffon but achieved a comprehensive victory over the two with 482 votes compared to Messi’s 141 and Buffon’s 109.
In other awards of the evening, Lieke Martens was named UEFA Women's Player of the Year after leading the Netherlands to the 2017 Women's Euro title this summer on home soil.
Messi scored 54 goals during last season with Spanish Super Cup and Spanish Cup to add to his titles, whereas Buffon lead his team to domestic double as he saw his team lose to Real Madrid in champions league final.
The three-man short-list for the award was voted by coaches from 80 different clubs taking part in European competitions and 55 journalist in the region.
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