Cristiano Ronaldo wins Best Player in Europe award over Gareth Bale and Antoine Griezmann

Cristiano Ronald receiving the Best Player award [PHOTO: COURTESY]

Real Madrid and Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was on thursday evening presented with the prestigious best player award in Monaco while Norway striker Ada Hegerberg won the women's award.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named Europe's Best Player for the second time after beating Gareth Bale and Antoine Griezmann to the 2015-16 honour.

Ronaldo's heroics for Euro 2016 winners Portugal and Champions League victors Real Madrid last term earned him the prize announced in Monaco.

The presentation was made after Real were drawn in the Champions League's Group F for this season with Legia Warsaw, Borussia Dortmund and Sporting Lisbon on Thursday night.

Ronaldo had already seen off competition from rival Lionel Messi in the previous stage of voting, which decided the final three shortlist.

He and the Argentinean are now the only two players to have won the prize twice. Ronaldo won it following the 2013-14 season while Messi was the first winner in 2010-11 and the holder from last year.

The award was chosen after journalists from UEFA's 55 member associations were asked for their own five choices as the best player in the continent last season.

Ronaldo was then named with Bale and Griezmann in the final three and went into Thursday night's gala as the raging favourite.

Ronaldo is greeted by fans ahead of the ceremony in Monaco on Thursday night

Ronaldo said: "It’s a great honour and thanks to the journalists for voting for me.

"My team-mates are the key - they are the key every year. I work hard myself but without the help of my team-mates this would not be possible. Thanks to my team-mates from Real Madrid and Portugal.

"I have to mention Portugal because it was the first in their history. It was different because I’ve won the Champions League three times. To win something with Portugal was the highlight of my career.”

UEFA says the award is set to "recognise[s] the best player, irrespective of his nationality, playing for a football club within the territory of a UEFA member association during the previous season".

Bale was a strong contender for his work with Real and leading Wales to the Euro semi-final while Atletico's Griezmann top scored at this summer's Championships for the final losers.

Also on Thursday night, Norway striker Ada Hegerberg was presented the Best Women’s Player in Europe award.

The 21-year-old produced 13 goals and four assists for Olympique Lyon in the nine games which lead to their Women’s Champions League triumph last season.

Hegerberg's strikes included the early opener in the final against Wolfsburg, which Lyon won on penalties.