Real Madrid and Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo ‘proud and happy’ after winning fourth Ballon d’Or

Cristiano Ronaldo won the European Championship with Portugal and the Uefa Champions League with Real Madrid in 2016. Javier Soriano / AFP

Portugal and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo won the Ballon d’Or award for the fourth time on Monday after claiming the European Championship and Uefa Champions League titles in 2016.

Ronaldo, 31, is now one short of his Primera Liga rival Lionel Messi’s record tally of five.

“For me it’s a great honour to receive my fourth golden ball. The emotion is like for the first one, it’s a dream come true again. I never thought in my mind to win four times. I’m so happy,” said Ronaldo, who won the award in 2008, 2013 and 2014.

“I take the opportunity to thank all my teammates, from the national team and for Real Madrid. I feel so proud and happy.”

The Ballon d'Or, which merged with the Fifa World Player of the Year award from 2010-15 to create the Fifa Ballon d'Or, returned to France Football magazine this year, with only journalists voting and not national team managers and captains.

* Reuters

More to follow

PAST 10 WINNERS

2007: Kaka (BRA)

2008: Cristiano Ronaldo (POR)

2009: Lionel Messi (ARG)

2010: Lionel Messi (ARG)

2011: Lionel Messi (ARG)

2012: Lionel Messi (ARG)

2013: Cristiano Ronaldo (POR)

2014: Cristiano Ronaldo (POR)

2015: Lionel Messi (ARG)

2016: Cristiano Ronaldo (POR)

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