Ronaldo on top of the world again

Real Madrid’s Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo won the Ballon dO’r for the third time at a glittering ceremony here on Monday night.

Ronaldo, who was the winner last year as well as in 2008, edged out two other contenders, Barcelona’s Argentine ace Lionel Messi and German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, in the vote for the World Player of the Year.

Ronaldo was the favourite for the award, with Messi having a lacklustre season, even though he was named the player of the World Cup in Brazil. Neuer was also a strong contender, given the fact that he had done superbly well at the World Cup, won by Germany defeating Argentina in final.

“It has been an unforgettable year,” said Ronaldo, and stressed that he will continue to work hard to win more laurels for himself and his team.

Ronaldo received 37.66 percent of all votes, ahead of Messi (15.76) and Neuer (15.72).
Germany’s World Cup winning coach, Joachim Loew, was expectedly adjudged the coach of the year. Carlo Ancelotti and Diego Simeone were the other nominees.

“I am nothing without well trained players,” Loew said. “What would a great coach be without a fantastic team?” he asked.

The Puskas award for the goal of the year went to Colombian James Rodrigues for his stunning strike in the World Cup against Uruguay. His goal won 33 percent of the 3.3 million votes cast, well ahead of Stephanie Roche (33%) and Robin van Persie (11%).
Messi’s twist

Messi earlier raised eyebrows when he said in passing that he did not know where he would be next year. Messi was asked during a press conference ahead of the Ballon D'Or Player of the Year ceremony if he wanted to finish his career at Barcelona or at Argentina's Newell's Old Boys in his hometown of Rosario.

"I'm not sure what's going to happen, whether I'd go to Newell's," he said. "I don't know where I'll be next year although I've always said I want to end my career at Barcelona but...nobody knows what the future holds."

Messi said on Sunday night that he had denied asking for coach Luis Enrique to be replaced or that he is seeking an exit from his boyhood club.
"I haven't asked for anything to stay here because I have never wanted to go anywhere else," Messi had told Barca's TV channel after Sunday's 3-1 La Liga win over Atletico Madrid.

The awardees:
*Men’s Player of the Year: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal).
*Women’s Player of the Year: Nadine Kessler (Germany).
*Men’s Coach of the Year: Joachin Loew (Germany).
*Women’s Coach of the Year: Ralf Kellerman (VFL Wolfsburg).
*Puskas Goal of the Year: James Rodrigues (Colombia). Fairplay award: Volunteers at all FIFA events.

*Fifa/Fifpro World XI: Manuel Neuer (Germany/Bayern Munich), Sergio Ramos (Spain/Real Madrid), David Luiz (Brazil/PSG), Philipp Lahm (Germany/Bayern Munich), Thiago Silva (Brazil/PSG), Andres Iniesta (Spain/ Barcelona), Toni Kroos (Germany/ Real Madrid), Angel Di Maria (Argentina/Manchester United), Arjen Robben (Netherlands/Bayern Munich), Lionel Messi (Argentina/ Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Real Madrid).