Ronaldo wins Ballon d'Or: Twitter reacts

After a four-year spell of being in Lionel Messi's shadow, an emotional Cristiano Ronaldo was named the FIFA Ballon d'Or winner for 2013 at a ceremony in Zurich yesterday evening.

The Portuguese international has proved to be a popular winner among his peers, many of whom have taken to Twitter to praise the former Manchester United and current Real Madrid attacker.

Below are a selection of posts that congratulate the 28-year-old on his triumph.

Congratulations to @Cristiano for winning his 2nd #BallondOr and proud that he listened to my tips to improve his game.... Nice guy also!!

— Edwin van der Sar (@vdsar1970) January 13, 2014

"Congratulations to @Cristiano on 2nd Ballon d'Or !!! The guy is a machine, phenomenal and full deserved #BallondOr." Ronaldo's former United teammate Michael Carrick

"Ronaldo rightly wins the Ballon d'Or. He had a truly outstanding 2013. Congratulations! To those saying @Cristiano won nada in 2013, I say, he scored in nearly every game he played and singlehandedly dragged Portugal to Brazil." Former England striker Gary Lineker

"Congratulations to Christiano Ronaldo, thoroughly deserved, surely in any other era he would've already won 4 or 5! His consistency!" Former Arsenal centre-back Martin Keown

Well done @Cristiano on ya 2nd BallondOr....well deserved. Hard work pays off 100%. All them hours I spent showing u how to shoot etc!

— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) January 13, 2014

"Ronaldo. Really had to be this time. Well done to him. Deserved. #BallondOr2013." Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton

"Ronaldo defo deserves it this year been unbelievable. What a player!" Norwich City midfielder Anthony Pilkington

"Happy to see @Cristiano Ronaldo get this well deserved trophy! A true living legend for football lovers! CONGRATULATIONS!!!" Manchester City youngster Marcos Lopes

Hard work, determination, motivation and talent. Congrats to my good friend @Cristiano. You deserve it crack..!! pic.twitter.com/3s9szuMGSH

— Sergio Ramos (@SergioRamos) January 13, 2014

"Congratulations to Cristiano Ronaldo. Best footballer in the world and it's so enjoyable to see him achieve what he set his heart on." Former Man United fitness coach Mick Clegg

"Congratulations Ronaldo on winning The European Player of The Year award. #BallondOr." Former England, Liverpool and Man United striker Michael Owen

"Congratulations to Ronaldo! Much deserved #BallondOr winner." The Secret Footballer