Ronaldo pips Messi, becomes footballer of the year

Madrid: Real Madrid and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo was named the world’s best footballer in Goal.com annual survey of the best players on the planet, it was announced here on Saturday. Ronaldo's impressive 12 months saw him finishing ahead of Barcelona striker Luis Suarez and Atletico Madrid attacker Antoine Griezmann. Last year's Goal 50 winner Lionel Messi slipped to fourth, making it the first time in the countdown's eight-year history that the Argentinian forward hasn't appeared in the top three. The Goal 50 list is compiled by over 500 of Goal.com's journalists from around the globe. Ronaldo's place at the top of the list was cemented by a 12 month period which saw the player win both the Champions League and European Championship trophies. The former Manchester United player finished the 2015/16 season with 51 goals in all competitions, while at Euro 2016 he became the first player to score at four consecutive European Championships in France. Ronaldo also equalled the record for most goals scored in the competition's history, despite coming off injured during the final. "It's an honour to receive this recognition again," Ronaldo told Goal as he collected the trophy in Madrid," Ronaldo was quoted as saying by goal.com. "It's for all my teammates at Madrid and in the national team. I feel very happy and very proud. Nothing is achieved without ambition, personal effort and without a team of colleagues and workers who support you day in, day out. That, day to day, is the most important thing," he added.