Cristiano Ronaldo wins 2016 Ballon d’Or

The prolific forward has been recognised for firing Real Madrid to Champions League glory before then lifting the European Championship with Portugal.

Cristiano Ronaldo has beaten off competition from the likes of Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann to claim his fourth Ballon d'Or.

The prolific forward, who previously lifted the prestigious prize in 2008, 2013 and 2014, has enjoyed arguably the most successful year of his illustrious career, winning the Champions League with Real Madrid before captaining Portugal to European Championship glory in France.

Messi, who boasts a record five Ballons d'Or but finished second this time out, helped Barcelona win a domestic double last season but his dream of leading Argentina to a major international title was dashed by a penalty-shootout loss to Chile in the final of the Copa America.

As for third-placed Griezmann, the 24-year-old attacker fired both Atletico Madrid and France to the finals of the Champions League and Euro 2016 respectively, but he suffered the agony of defeat on both occasions.