Cristiano Ronaldo Wins 2013 World Footballer of the Year Award!

In what seemed surreal, Cristiano Ronaldo, put an end to Lionel Messi’s four-year dominance of global soccer when he was awarded the 2013 FIFA Ballon d’Or in Zurich on Monday. Amidst tears, the 28-year-old Ronaldo, winner of the same award in 2008, had been a favourite the past four years but was denied on all four occasions by Messi. Ronaldo got 27.99% of the votes cast ahead of Messi, 24.72%, while Ribery was third with 23.36% votes according to France Football, co-organisers of the award with FIFA. “There are no words to describe how I feel,” said Ronaldo. I’m delighted, I want to thank all my team-mates, all my family in the room. “Those who know me know how many sacrifices I made to win this reward. “I want to thank all those who had faith in me and I want to speak again about (recently deceased Portugal legend) Eusebio and (recently deceased former South Africa president) Madiba (Nelson Mandela) and to pay tribute to them one last time.” “Without doubt I deserved this, Messi and Ribery would have also deserved it. “Each time is different. But I would say that this second Ballon d’Or is more emotional, because my mother and my son (who joined him on stage) are here.”