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Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo wins Ballon d'Or

Real Madrid and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo wins the 2014 FIFA Ballon d'Or ahead of Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer.

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has won the 2014 FIFA Ballon d'Or, landing the world's best footballer award for a third time.

Real Madrid and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo smiles after receiving the 2014 FIFA Ballon d'Or award for player of the year during the FIFA Ballon d'Or award ceremony on January 12, 2015© Getty Images

The 29-year-old, who picked up the award last season ahead of Lionel Messi, again beat the Argentine to the accolade, in addition to fellow finalist Manuel Neuer.

Ronaldo featured for Portugal at the 2014 World Cup and netted five times in nine games for his country last year – in addition to becoming their all-time leading scorer - but it was his performances for Real Madrid that drew the most attention.

The attacker scored 52 goals in 43 games in 2014, in addition to providing 17 assists.

His performances were key in securing Real Madrid their 10th European Cup, while Los Blancos also won the Copa del Rey and Club World Cup in 2014.

During Real Madrid's European triumph, Ronaldo scored a competition-record 17 goals, including one in the final against Atletico Madrid.

The former Manchester United attacker also became the fastest player to score 200 La Liga goals in December 2014 when he netted a hat-trick against Celta Vigo in his 178th league match for the Spanish outfit.

Ronaldo was also named in the FIFPro World XI at the ceremony in Zurich.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Real Madrid16113234132136
3Atletico MadridAtletico16105130111935
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Villarreal157532725226
6Real Sociedad167361611524
7Osasuna166642225-324
8Mallorca177371620-424
9GironaGirona166462223-122
10Celta Vigo166372527-221
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Rayo Vallecano155461516-119
13Sevilla165471723-619
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe163761113-216
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1541101528-1313
19Valencia142481322-910
20Real ValladolidValladolid1623111134-239


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