Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the world’s best player at the inaugural Best FIFA Football Awards in Zurich.
Cristiano Ronaldo received FIFA’s best player award for the fourth time, after Portugal and Real Madrid won both major European titles in 2016.
The award comes off the back of Ronaldo winning the 61st edition of the Ballon d’Or in December following a stellar year which saw him achieve Champions League and Euro 2016 success with Real Madrid and Portugal.
Ronaldo’s fourth FIFA award closed the gap on five-time winner Messi, the runner-up to each Ronaldo victory, who did not attend the ceremony.
Ronaldo’s 2016 trophy haul included the European Championship, Champions League, and Club World Cup, plus individual best player awards from UEFA and France Football magazine.