By George Aluo
Cristiano Ronaldo last night won his fifth Ballon d’Or title and in the process equals his greatest rival Lionel Messi’s tally.
Barcelona’s talisman, Messi it would be noted has won the title a record five times.
Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten are the next closest challengers with three wins apiece in football’s most prestigious individual award. But Ronaldo’s triumph extends his and Messi’s unbroken spell of dominance to an entire decade.
Speaking after picking up the award Ronaldo said: “Of course I feel happy. This is something I look forward to every year.The trophies won last year helped to win this award.
“Thanks to my Real Madrid team mates and I want to thank the rest of the people who helped me reach this level.”
Messi, Neymar were the other two players shortlisted in the final three last night.
The 2017 Ballon d’Or was recognition for a year which saw Ronaldo named man of the match in Real Madrid’s Champions League final victory over Juventus, his fourth European Cup win, as well as collecting his second Liga trophy.
On Wednesday night, he became the first player to ever score in all six matches in the Champions League group stage.