Cristiano Ronaldo claimed a fourth Ballon d’Or award after leading Portugal to an emotional European Championship title and Real Madrid to a record-extending Champions League crown in2016. Ronaldo is one short of the record of five awards won by Barcelona’s Argentina forward Lionel Messi, who was second with the pair having taken the first two spots each yearsince 2011.
“For me it’s a great honor to receive my fourth golden ball. The emotion is like for the first one, it’s a dream come true again,” said Ronaldo, who won the award in 2008, 2013and 2014. “I never thought in my mind to win four times. I’m so happy.”