Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the best player in the world again. The Portuguese star won a record-equalling fifth Ballon d’Or award for the year’s best player on Thursday.
This was his second successive win, drawing level with Barcelona rival Lionel Messi on five Ballons d’Or titles.
The 32-year-old’s win was not unexpected given the season he has had: he was the top-scorer in last season’s Champions League as Real Madrid became the first club to successfully defend the trophy, and also led his team to their first La Liga title in five years. He scored 42 goals in all competitions for Real last season, and also netted 15 times in European World Cup qualifying.
Ronaldo, who also won the FIFA Men’s Player of the Year award in October, added the 2017 Ballon d’Or to his previous wins in 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2016.
Here’s what Twitter had to say about Ronaldo’s win
Another dream come true. Unbelievable feeling. Thanks to my family, friends, teammates, coaches and everyone that stood by my side throughout the years.👌🏽🔝 pic.twitter.com/A9jyYswePD
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) December 7, 2017
🇵🇹 @CRISTIANO RONALDO
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) December 7, 2017
🏆 BALLON D'OR 2017
🏆 BALLON D'OR 2016
🏆 BALLON D'OR 2014
🏆 BALLON D'OR 2013
🏆 BALLON D'OR 2008#CRI5TIANO #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/zXdoxGPkc2
"It's a great moment in my career."
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 8, 2017
Cristiano Ronaldo accepts his fifth Ballon d'Or: pic.twitter.com/gEPhJG13qm
Stunning numbers
Cristiano Ronaldo:
— Footy Jokes (@Footy_Jokes) December 8, 2017
🇵🇹 Games: 882
⚽️ Goals: 620
🎯 Assists: 202
🏆 League title: 5
🏆 Domestic Cup: 9
🏆 Super Cup: 2
🏆 Club World Cup: 3
🏆 Champions League: 4
🏆 EURO’s: 1
🥇 UEFA Best Player: 3
🥇 Ballon d’Or: 5 pic.twitter.com/vzXaMzOhpV
Another Award..Another Year..Another Records for Ronaldo pic.twitter.com/V21HNpLiS8
— RVCJ Media (@RVCJ_FB) December 8, 2017
Congratulations poured in from fellow players
The man @Cristiano wins his 5th #ballondor on the night of the FIVE launch night... #Ronaldo🔥🔥🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 https://t.co/2GhhK81Tm1 pic.twitter.com/bXRBh0MDud
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) December 7, 2017
Congratulations to @Cristiano on winning this year's Ballon d'Or. I would love to have played on the same side as you! // Parabéns ao @Cristiano por conquistar o Ballon d'Or este ano. Eu adoraria ter tido a chance de jogar ao seu lado! #BallondOr
— Pelé (@Pele) December 7, 2017
Parabéns Cris. Tu mereces irmão 🔝@Cristiano pic.twitter.com/nuBnkW1tQN
— James Rodríguez (@jamesdrodriguez) December 7, 2017
Congratulations @Cristiano for your fifth #BallondOr 🏆👏 #Ronaldo pic.twitter.com/VSWxU4FlFr
— Lothar Matthäus (@LMatthaeus10) December 7, 2017
The father of four even got a special gift to commemorate the win
Cristiano Ronaldo received a special gift for winning his latest Ballon d'Or... pic.twitter.com/tHri6m0KDG
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) December 7, 2017
The Messi-Ronaldo generation
Ronaldo and Messi: a decade of domination...
— ★ #TeamOfTheYear ★ (@ChampionsLeague) December 7, 2017
🏆 2008 - Ronaldo
🏆 2009 - Messi
🏆 2010 - Messi
🏆 2011 - Messi
🏆 2012 - Messi
🏆 2013 - Ronaldo
🏆 2014 - Ronaldo
🏆 2015 - Messi
🏆 2016 - Ronaldo
🏆 2017 - Ronaldo#BallondOr pic.twitter.com/LfXiyVIX0u
In 20 years, Ronaldo will be considered like a modern day Gerd Muller. A ruthless scoring machine.
— Stevie Grieve (@Steviegrieve) December 8, 2017
Messi will be remembered as an entertainer who did the impossible on a weekly basis.
There never has been, or will be, a comparison between the 2.#Messi
The 5️⃣ Ballons d'Or club ☯️ pic.twitter.com/AgRM5XrPwF
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 7, 2017
A healthy rivalry will only bring the best of out both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi
— Goal (@goal) December 7, 2017
The Real Madrid man says 'bring it on!' pic.twitter.com/ngD8CL1unw
Messi and Ronaldo the only 2 players to win the Ballon d’Or since 2009. What an incredible pair they are. I don’t even want to try and pick who is best... just admire both.
— Scott (@IntoTheBarrier) December 8, 2017
And the inevitable criticism as well
The sad thing about the #BallondOr award is that it will give future generations the illusion that Cristiano Ronaldo was as good, or nearly as good, as Leo Messi.
— Andreas Vou (@AndreasVou89) December 7, 2017
I actually enjoy when Ronaldo wins individual awards because it helps emphasis the dichotomy between the knowledgeable and the stupid. So clear to see who has 0 footballing intellect when they call him the GOAT for...catching up to Messi?
— BarcAddicts (@BarcAddicts) December 8, 2017