Cristiano Ronaldo was named UEFA Player of the Season for 2016-2017 on Thursday after a campaign which saw the Portuguese superstar help Real Madrid to the La Liga and Champions League double.
Ronaldo picked up the trophy for the second consecutive season and third time in total, having also received the accolade in 2013/14.
He finished ahead of two other shortlisted candidates, Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi and Juventus and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, in a poll of the 80 coaches in the group stage of the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, together with 55 journalists selected by the European Sports Media (ESM) group, representing each of UEFA’s member associations.
He finished ahead of two other shortlisted candidates, Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi and Juventus and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, in a poll of the 80 coaches in the group stage of the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, together with 55 journalists selected by the European Sports Media (ESM) group, representing each of UEFA’s member associations.
“I’m so glad to be here, and honoured to win this trophy again,” Ronaldo said after receiving the award. “Thank you to my team-mates and congratulations to them too. I’m so blessed – thanks also to the supporters of Real Madrid, and everyone who helped me to achieve this trophy.”
