REAL Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has been named world footballer of the year after winning the Ballon d'Or for the second year in a row. The Portugal captain beat Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to the award. Wolfsburg and Germany midfielder Nadine Kessler was named women's player of the year, while Colombia's James Rodriguez won goal of the year. Germany's World Cup winner Joachim Low won men's coach of the year. Wolfsburg boss Ralf Kellermann was named women's football coach of the year after a successful defence of the Champions League. The three candidates for the Ballon d'Or were all picked in the team of the year, along with defenders Philipp Lahm, David Luiz, Thiago Silva and Sergio Ramos, midfielders Andres Iniesta, Toni Kroos and Angel Di Maria and forward Arjen Robben. Ronaldo successfully defended his world player of the year status convincingly with 37.66 per cent of all votes, winning for a third time. Barcelona and Argentina counterpart Lionel Messi - who won four years in a row until Ronaldo beat him last year, was second on 15.76 per cent. He was narrowly ahead of Bayern Munich and Germany keeper Manuel Neuer, who had 15.72 per cent. Ronaldo, who scored 52 goals in 43 games during 2014, looked emotional when collecting the award from former France, Barcelona and Arsenal striker Thierry Henry. The 29-year-old said: “I would like to thank all of those who voted for me, my president, my coach and Real Madrid. It has been an unforgettable year. To win this trophy at the end of it is something incredibly unique.” Wolfsburg and Germany midfielder Nadine Kessler was named women's player of the year. The 26-year-old beat Brazil's Marta and United States international Abby Wambach. Kessler said: “My heart is beating madly at the moment. I don't think I ever thought in my life I would achieve this moment. “Without my team-mates and my coach, this would never have been possible. I have a great degree of gratitude that I must give to my family. They have seen me through all the difficult times.” During the awards ceremony, other people were also commended for their services to football on or off the pitch. Journalist Hiroshi Kagawa, 90, was presented with the FIFA Presidential Award by FIFA President Sepp Blatter. The FIFA Fair Play Award was presented to all volunteers who have worked at FIFA competitions, “because without their work, their tireless support, their enthusiasm and their passion for the game, it would be virtually impossible for FIFA to organise its many tournaments year in, year out”, the awards said.
