Cristiano Ronaldo was chosen as FIFA player of the year late Monday, joining Lionel Messi as five-time winner.
The Real Madrid forward was crowned player of the year on Monday at the FIFA Best ceremony at the London Palladium theater attended by runner-ups Messi and third-placed Neymar.
"This is a great moment for me," Ronaldo said. "I'm so happy."
A second successive honor for the 32-year-old Ronaldo was expected after a season in which the Portuguese eclipsed his award counterparts in the medal stakes.
Ronaldo helped Real to a second consecutive Champions League title after the final against Juventus and finished as the tournament's top scorer with 12 goals last season. He has now won the award three times, one more than Messi.
FIFA has shifted its award ceremony from its usual January slot to October so players are judged across a season — based on the typical European schedule — rather than the calendar year.
