Cristiano Ronaldo wins Ballon d'Or

Cristiano Ronaldo. Photo / AP

Portugal and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the best footballer in the world after claiming the Ballon d'Or for a second straight year.

Ronaldo finished ahead of fellow finalists Argentina's Lionel Messi and German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to capture his third Ballon d'Or.

"I want to become one of the greatest players of all time," Ronaldo said through a translator in his acceptance speech after being presented the trophy in Zurich, Switzerland. "Of course, this requires a lot of effort and I hope to get there."

Messi finished second in the voting, with Neuer third.

Ronaldo retained football's highest individual honour after scoring 61 goals for Real Madrid and Portugal last year. His record tally of 17 in a Champions League season helped his club win an unprecedented 10th European Cup title - and overshadowed a relatively disappointing World Cup campaign.

Ronaldo was more composed for this widely expected victory than during his tearful speech one year ago when ending Messi's four-year reign. He first won the award for 2008 as a Manchester United player.

Germany's Nadine Kessler was named women's player of the year while compatriot Joachim Low was named coach of the year after leading his nation to victory at the World Cup in Brazil. Loew beat the two club coaches from Madrid: Italian Carlo Ancelotti of Real and Atletico's Diego Simeone from Argentina.

Colombia's James Rodriguez was awarded the Puskas Award for goal of the year after his wonder strike against Uruguay at last year's World Cup.

With the voting by international coaches, captains and media made public it was revealed that Ronaldo didn't vote for rival Messi and vice versa.

New Zealand's acting skipper Chris Wood voted for Ronaldo, Rodriguez and Chelsea striker Diego Costa.

All Whites coach Anthony Hudson picked Ronaldo, Costa and Gareth Bale while New Zealand's media representative Gordon Glen Watson voted for Ronaldo, Messi and Neuer.

Team of the year
Forwards:
Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich, Netherlands)
Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Argentina)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, Portugal)
Midfielders:
Andres Iniesta (Barcelona, Spain)
Toni Kroos (Real Madrid, Germany)
Angel Di Maria (Manchester United, Argentina)
Defenders:
Phillip Lahm (Germany, Bayern Munich)
David Luiz (Brazil, Paris St-Germain)
Thiago Silva (Brazil, Paris St-Germain)
Sergio Ramos (Spain, Real Madrid)
Goalkeeper:
Manuel Neuer (Germany, Bayern Munich)

- With AP