BEVERLY HILLS, AUGUST 26, (THEWILL) – Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has been adjudged the UEFA Best Player in Europe on Thursday after winning both last season’s Champions League and Euro 2016 with Portugal.
Ronaldo, 31, received the accolade for the second time in his career, as he won the prize in 2013-14, after finishing ahead of Real team-mate Gareth Bale and Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann.
Ronaldo struck the winning spot-kick as Real claimed a record 11th European Cup title, beating city rivals Atletico on penalties in May, before leading his country to Euro 2016 glory.
Ronaldo scored three goals in the tournament to equal France’s Michel Platini’s record of nine goals in the European Championship finals.
The award was voted for by journalists from each of UEFA’s 55 member associations.
Norway striker Ada Hegerberg won the women’s award, ahead of France’s Amandine Henry and Dzsenifer Marozsan of Germany, after helping Lyon lift the Women’s Champions League trophy in addition to the French league and cup double.
“I’m obviously delighted to receive this award, it’s been an incredible season. But these two other players deserve it as well,” said Ronaldo in an interview with UEFA,
“To be honest I didn’t think Portugal could win the Euro. But match by match I started believing it was possible. In the end we deserved it, we played as a team and our players are to be congratulated.
“Before the Euro we expected Portugal to have a good European Championship, get through the group stage, get through the quarter-finals and from there we saw everything as a bonus.
It was the pinnacle of a difficult season for Real Madrid in which we were ultimately able to win the biggest trophy in club football.
“In terms of trophies, it was possibly the best year of my career.
“Zidane was key. He’s a great professional, a great person and, in my opinion, his biggest quality is his ability to give his players a sense of calm.
“We were 12 points behind Barcelona and we ended up just one point adrift. In the Champions League we did what we had to do –- and went on to win it. What more could you ask? Zidane deserves a lot of credit.
Ronaldo is the record goal-scorer in the Champions league with 94 strikes.
Story by David Oputah
