Cristiano Ronaldo clutches the Ballon d'Or at the FIFA ceremony held in Zurich, Switzerland on Monday.
FIFA reveal 2014 Ballon d'Or winner —
Cristiano Ronaldo clutches the Ballon d'Or at the FIFA ceremony held in Zurich, Switzerland on Monday.
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The three players on FIFA's Ballon d'Or shortlist (left to right): Cristiano Ronaldo, Manuel Neuer and Lionel Messi.
FIFA reveal 2014 Ballon d'Or winner —
The three players on FIFA's Ballon d'Or shortlist (left to right): Cristiano Ronaldo, Manuel Neuer and Lionel Messi.
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Cristiano Ronaldo in action for his club, Real Madrid. The winner of the Ballon d'Or 12 months ago had another brilliant season for Los Blancos, scoring 51 goals during the 2013/14 season. Ronaldo was also instrumental in Real Madrid's 10th ("La Decima") Champions League title.
FIFA reveal 2014 Ballon d'Or winner —
Cristiano Ronaldo in action for his club, Real Madrid. The winner of the Ballon d'Or 12 months ago had another brilliant season for Los Blancos, scoring 51 goals during the 2013/14 season. Ronaldo was also instrumental in Real Madrid's 10th ("La Decima") Champions League title.
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Ronaldo and Portugal has a disappointing 2014 World Cup, failing to make it out of the Group stages beaten to second place by the U.S. team.
FIFA reveal 2014 Ballon d'Or winner —
Ronaldo and Portugal has a disappointing 2014 World Cup, failing to make it out of the Group stages beaten to second place by the U.S. team.
FRANCISCO LEONG/AFP/Getty Images/file
Lionel Messi has won the prestigious award for four consecutive years from 2009 to 2012. In December, the Argentine broke the La Liga all-time scoring record surpassing the 251-goal mark set by Spain's Telmo Zarra during the 1940s and 1950s. Messi also holds the Champions League goalscoring record, netting 75 times to date.
FIFA reveal 2014 Ballon d'Or winner —
Lionel Messi has won the prestigious award for four consecutive years from 2009 to 2012. In December, the Argentine broke the La Liga all-time scoring record surpassing the 251-goal mark set by Spain's Telmo Zarra during the 1940s and 1950s. Messi also holds the Champions League goalscoring record, netting 75 times to date.
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Messi in action for Argentina against Belgium during last year's World Cup in Brazil.
FIFA reveal 2014 Ballon d'Or winner —
Messi in action for Argentina against Belgium during last year's World Cup in Brazil.
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Messi, who was awarded the Player of the Tournament trophy, shakes hands with Manuel Neuer (winner of the Golden Glove award) following the conclusion of the final at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. After demolishing the hosts 7-1 in the semifinal, Germany edged past Argentina 1-0 in the final.
FIFA reveal 2014 Ballon d'Or winner —
Messi, who was awarded the Player of the Tournament trophy, shakes hands with Manuel Neuer (winner of the Golden Glove award) following the conclusion of the final at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. After demolishing the hosts 7-1 in the semifinal, Germany edged past Argentina 1-0 in the final.
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Manuel Neuer has been a formidable presence in goal for Germany conceding just four goals in seven World Cup Finals matches and a total of 40 goals in 62 matches throughout 2014.
FIFA reveal 2014 Ballon d'Or winner —
Manuel Neuer has been a formidable presence in goal for Germany conceding just four goals in seven World Cup Finals matches and a total of 40 goals in 62 matches throughout 2014.
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Neuer was also a key member of Bayern Munich's Bundesliga-winning team last season.
FIFA reveal 2014 Ballon d'Or winner —
Neuer was also a key member of Bayern Munich's Bundesliga-winning team last season.
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Neuer celebrates with his Germany teammates following the 1-0 win over Argentina in the World Cup final last July.
FIFA reveal 2014 Ballon d'Or winner —
Neuer celebrates with his Germany teammates following the 1-0 win over Argentina in the World Cup final last July.
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