Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo was named here as the winner of the 2016 Ballon d’Or for the fourth time, second only to five-time recipient Lionel Messi.

The Portuguese international’s first golden ball came in 2008, before Manchester United sold him to the Blancos for $132 million, EFE news reported.

Ronaldo scored 51 goals in 54 games this year while leading Real Madrid to their record 11th Champions League trophy and Portugal to its first European Championship.

The 31-year-old striker was not on hand for the ceremony in Paris, as Real Madrid are in Japan this week for the semifinals of the Club World Cup.

“This has been the best year of my career from both a team and individual level,” Ronaldo said in an interview recorded earlier at the Santiago Bernabeu. “To win the title for Portugal was what was left to achieve on my resume and it was one of the most important moments.”

“But to win Champions League as well with Real Madrid was huge,” he said, surrounded by the 11 trophies the team has won in Europe’s elite club competition.

“This is a dream come true and it is the fourth time. I feel very proud. This win is for my teammates in both the club and the national team. It is incredible to earn this trophy again,” Ronaldo said.

Grand Welcome For Zinedine Zidane in India

Messi, Ronaldo, Bale, Griezmann are Henry’s top four for Ballon d’Or

Presented by the magazine France Football, the Ballon d’Or has been awarded every year since 1956.

Messi, whose Barça squad won La Liga and the Copa del Rey came second in the voting for the Ballon d’Or, followed by Antoine Griezmann of Champions League finalist Atletico Madrid.

IANS

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo said on Monday that he hopes to carry on playing football for another 10 years when he will be 41 years old.

The Portugal captain made his comments at the press conference held after he extended his current contract with Real Madrid until the summer of 2021, when he will be 36 years old, reports Xinhua.

After thanking the club and the fans, Ronaldo said it was a “very important” day for him.

Also Read: Ronaldo, Messi head FIFA’s shortlist for player of the year award

Also Read: Messi, Ronaldo, Bale, Griezmann are Henry’s top four for Ballon d’Or

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“I have renewed my contract for the next five years, but it will not be my last contract. I want to play on until I am 41,” he said, adding he intended “to carry on making history with Real Madrid”.

“Five years is a long time and I am going to give my best… I want to continue winning and I want to carry on learning,” commented the forward.

“I have a long time ahead of me to enjoy at a professional level. I have 10 years left to play,” insisted Ronaldo, who also didn’t rule out remaining at the club when he finally hangs up his boots.

“You never know; I am very happy in Madrid, my son is also happy seeing his father here, so are my family and friends… I don’t know if I will still be here because the present is what matters, but I am always going to be connected to and identify with the club,” he assured.

IANS

Real Madrid chief coach Zinedine Zidane has admitted that at times he loses his temper with the footballers at the Spanish capital club, but he works alongside some “great professionals”. Real Madrid lost the top spot of the La Liga on Sunday after being held to a 1-1 draw by top-flight minnows Eibar. It is the third consecutive league draw for Madrid and it came after perhaps their worst performance of the season, reports Xinhua.

Also Read : Grand Welcome For Zinedine Zidane in India

“There are ups and downs in life and you have to try and find balance,” explained Zidane in an event held in Switzerland. “It is important to have good manners, but I have my moments when I lose my temper and I can get angry. Sometimes there are even a few shouts at halftime and they get results,” he commented.

“Players are like big children, although they all have a passion for the game. They are great professionals and the best players in the world. I know this is a complicated moment after three draws, but they always want to improve,” said Zidane, who defended his squad.

“My players have values and that has not surprised me after the eight months I have spent with them. I am very happy with what I say every day,” he explained.
Zidane also discussed the issue of signings after a summer in which Real Madrid’s only transfer activity was to regain striker Alvaro Morata from Juventus.

“It is my choice who we sign and if the President (Florentino Perez) wants to sign someone, he does it with my approval. We didn’t need signings this summer as the only position which doesn’ t have cover is Casimiro’s, everywhere else we have two players for each position,” said the French legend.

Watch Rafael Nadal and his Davis Cup team mates play a game of fun Tennis Football during the opening of La Liga office in India. Here also Nadal’s team emerged winners. Nadal took on ex-Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes in his play off. The entire Davis Cup team, David Ferrer, Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez an  coach Conchita Martinez took part in the fun game.

Rafael Nadal playing Tennis Football as La Liga opens its India office

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