Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has won the 2013 Ballon d’Or at a ceremony in Zurich this evening.
Despite not picking up any silverware over the 12 months, the Portugal international has been voted the world’s best player by journalists, Coaches and fellow professionals.
The 28-year-old beats Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery of Bayern Munich to the award.
It is the second time the attacker has won the prize after picking it up in 2008.
Ronaldo has emerged as the favourite for some weeks now, after putting in a series of impressive performances for his club, and almost single-handedly guiding Portugal to the 2014 World Cup – he scored 66 goals in 55 games in all competitions over the calendar year.
