Real Madrid CF and Portugal forward, Cristiano Ronaldo has retained Monday the FIFA Ballon d'Or, beating FC Barcelona's forward Lionel Messi and FC Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer to the world crown at Zurich, Switzerland. Ronaldo said he wants to be "It has been an unforgettable year. To win a trophy of this kind is unique. I want to continue as I have and go on for more titles for the team and myself, to improve and get better with every day. I'd never have thought I'd pick up this trophy on three occasions. I want to be one of the greatest players of all time" after retaining the FIFA Ballon d'Or. Ronaldo picked up the award for the third time, joining an elite group of only four players to have won it more than twice, including Marco van Basten, Uefa's President Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff, and Lionel Messi. It comes after another incredible 12 months for the 29 years old, where he scored 62 goals in as many games for club and country, breaking multiple records including becoming the first player to score in two UEFA Champions League final wins, one of four trophies he won with his club in 2014. Germany's FIFA World Cup-winning coach, Joachim Löw won the best coach prize, seeing off competition from Real Madrid CF coach, Carlo Ancelotti and Atlético Madrid coach, Diego Simeone. FIFA goal of the year award went to Real Madrid CF forward James Rodríguez for his remarkable volley for Colombia against Uruguay at the World Cup. The FIFA best starting eleven was also selected, with Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Munich dominating with three players each: Manuel Neuer (FC Bayern Munich); Philipp Lahm (FC Bayern Munich), David Luiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid CF); Andrés Iniesta (FC Barcelona), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid CF), Ángel Di María (Manchester United FC); Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid CF), Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona), Arjen Robben (FC Bayern Munich).
