Ronaldo Wins Ballon d’Or

Real Madrid forward voted player of the year for first time since 2008

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FRANCISCO LEONG / AFP / GettyImages

Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo eyes the ball on June 2, 2012 during a friendly football match against Turkey at Luz Stadium in Lisbon ahead of the Euro 2012 football championship, which will take place in Poland and Ukraine from June 8 to July 1.

Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Ballon d’Or, the most prestigious award in world soccer.

The Real Madrid forward was named world player of the year on Monday, ahead of Barcelona striker Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery, BBC reports. It’s the first time since 2008 that Ronaldo has won the award, which is voted on by coaches, captains and sports journalists. Messi has won the award every year since then.

The award for the best female player in world soccer was won by Nadine Angerer, goalkeeper for Germany’s national side.

[BBC]