Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo was named as the world’s best footballer for 2016 at the inaugural edition of the Best FIFA Football Awards in Zurich, on Monday. The prolific Portuguese beat Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi and Atletico Madrid talisman Antoine Griezmann to win the coveted prize.
This was the 31-year-old’s second award in as many months as he won the Ballon d’Or in December for what has been a stellar 2016. He won the European Championship and the Champions League, and was arguably the most effective player in each of the winning sides.
Fans on Twitter poured in with praises:
Cristiano Ronaldo has won The Best FIFA Men’s Player award for 2016, ahead of Messi & Griezmann. Here’s how their 2016 stats compare #LaLigapic.twitter.com/JqN7m7ext7
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) January 9, 2017
Congrats, Cristiano Ronaldo – voted the Best FIFA Men’s Player 2016! ??? pic.twitter.com/OPI6obxoXY
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 9, 2017
Congratulations to @Cristiano Ronaldo on Winning the FIFA #TheBest Player of the Year 2016 Award. #SR4 #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/IYSoSzIfyO
— Team Ramos (@TheKingSR4) January 9, 2017
What a year for Cristiano Ronaldo! https://t.co/BQy4nSmdxG pic.twitter.com/HApG4IsBpm
— Scores & Video (@ScoresVideo) January 9, 2017
Cristiano Ronaldo is the FIRST player to win FIFA’s new #TheBest Men’s Player of The Year Award. #HalaMadrid #ForçaPortugal pic.twitter.com/IajR8KNu2j
— TheCRonaldoFan (@TheCRonaldoFan) January 9, 2017
Cristiano Ronaldo kisses and is awarded The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2016. pic.twitter.com/s1oE04jj8H
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) January 9, 2017
Ronaldo: “It’s a shame the Barcelona players couldn’t be here tonight. It’s understandable”pic.twitter.com/mvF8sr4QQP
— BigSport (@BigSportGB) January 9, 2017
Ronaldo’s banter game on point tbvh
— Taha Memon (@TheKopiteLad) January 9, 2017
The Best To Ever Play The Beautiful Game: Cristiano Ronaldo #TheBest #TOTY #FUT pic.twitter.com/ugUlonjn0o
— Madridista News (@Madridista7TV) January 9, 2017
Cristiano Ronaldo sprinkling the last bit of fairy dust on his 2016 like… ? #TheBest #SaltBae pic.twitter.com/NZX2GBN5AK
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) January 9, 2017
THE BEST
Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Manager: Claudio Ranieri
Many congratulations pic.twitter.com/KGx8SFPan9
— Football Funnys (@FootballFunnys) January 9, 2017
Official. Cristiano Ronaldo is the FIFA player of the year! Congratulations!
— Real Madrid Info (@RMadridInfo) January 9, 2017
Cristiano Ronaldo is #TheBest FIFA Men’s Player of 2016! As for the Ballon d’Or, Ronaldo beats out Messi and Antoine Griezmann. pic.twitter.com/btBjbanbOU
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) January 9, 2017
? The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2016
?? @CRISTIANO RONALDO? CONGRATULATIONS!!! ?#TheBest #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/bycEsmWFDg
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) January 9, 2017
Griezmann is thinking: “Oh no he’s going to beat me for another trophy”
??? pic.twitter.com/dOFAP5Vesu
— TheCRonaldoFan (@TheCRonaldoFan) January 9, 2017
Ronaldo finished as the Champions League top scorer with 16 goals – 7 more than second-placed Robert Lewandowski.
Best FIFA Men’s Player 2016 contender, Cristiano Ronaldo. Here are his 2016 stats… pic.twitter.com/b6E5E0aQJK
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) January 9, 2017
Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2016 for club & country:
57 games
55 goals
17 assists
4 major trophies
1 Ballon d’Or
1 FIFA Best Player award pic.twitter.com/Ut3ZTTFlR2— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 9, 2017
Hard work, best goals, highest records& a great team=The Best Fifa Player award in 2016 for Christiano Ronaldo?? ??? #FifaFootballAwards2016
— Engy Alaa (@engyalaa) January 9, 2017
Ronaldo throwing shade at Barça players for not attending the Gala. No one mentioned it when he skipped it in 2011 when Leo won it.
— Sergi Domínguez (@FutbolSergi) January 9, 2017
Champions League ?
EURO’s ?
Club World Cup ?
UEFA Best Player ?
Ballon d’Or ?
FIFA Best Player ?2016 was the year of Ronaldo. pic.twitter.com/HjRKUonjhx
— Football__Tweet (@Football__Tweet) January 9, 2017
Cristiano: “I am sorry that some people from Barça are not here, but that’s understandable.”
Too right. Another award won – outstanding.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) January 9, 2017
As if one Ronaldo is not enough.. pic.twitter.com/D10TXRuGT2
— Manar M. Sarhan (@ManarSarhan) January 9, 2017
