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Emotional Ronaldo collects Ballon d’Or

By on January 13, 2014

Cristiano Ronaldo might have claimed the FIFA Ballon d’Or “just a trophy”, but when it came down to it Ronaldo shed tears of joy when it was announced that he finally reclaimed his title of world player of the year from Lionel Messi.

“I think it’s not the most important thing in a career. Maybe it’s important for many players, I understand that, but it’s just an individual trophy, there are things that are more important than that, like having a fantastic career and winning things for your club,” Ronaldo said in the run up to the Ballon d’Or gala, but talked with a completely different tone during his award acceptance speech.

“First of all I have to say a great thanks to all of my team-mates with the club and the national team,” he said. “Without all of their efforts this would not have been possible. I am very happy, it is very difficult to win this award.

“Everybody that has been involved with me on a personal level I have to thank. My wife, my friends, my son. It is a tremendously emotional moment. All I can say is thank you to everybody that has been involved.”

Ronaldo, who had won the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year award, has been outrun by Messi in the chase for the Ballon d’Or award for the past four years.  However, after averaging over a goal per game with 66 goals in 56 appearances in 2013, Ronaldo wholeheartedly deserved to finally regain his year of glory.   Although the forward failed to win a single trophy in the year of 2013, he still managed to beat Franck Ribery, who won five titles with Bayern Munich, to first place, while the Frenchman finished in third.

Not only did Ronaldo win the Ballon d’Or, but starred in the Fifa/Fifpro World XI 2013 alongside Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm, Sergio Ramos, Thiago Silva, Dani Alves, Iniesta, Xavi, Ribery, Messi, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Meanwhile, Pele was awarded the first ever Ballon d’Or prix d’honneur, to his apparent joy. “I got so many trophies and prizes but I was jealous because all of those guys who got the Ballon d’Or, which I couldn’t get because I didn’t play in Europe,” Pele said. “Now I thank God that I can complete my trophies at home.”

Former Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes was awarded the manager of the year award, having lead the Bavarians to the treble before being replaced by Pep Guardiola, while the FIFA Women’s Manager of the Year award was handed to Germany manager Silvia Neid.  The Germans made the complete swoop of the women’s awards, with Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer presented with the FIFA Women’s Player of the Year honor.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s spectacular overhead goal against England in the UEFA World Cup qualifying Group H won the Puskas award for the most beautiful goal, Jacques Rogges, the former head of the International Olympic Committee won the president award, and Afghanistan football federation were surprisingly named as the winners of the fair play award.

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.