Cristiano Ronaldo awarded Ballon d‘Or for world player of the year for a joint-record fifth time

Cristiano Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or for a record-equalling fifth time in a glamorous ceremony in the French capital. (Photo: Courtesy)

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded the Ballon d‘Or for world player of the year on Thursday for a joint-record fifth time, going level with eternal rival and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi as the player to have won the prize the most times.

The Real Madrid forward won the award, handed out by magazine France Football, for the second consecutive year having led his side to the La Liga title with 25 goals and a successive Champions League crown, netting 12 goals including two in the 4-1 win over Juventus in the final.