Cristiano Ronaldo Wins UEFA Player of the Year 2017
Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the UEFA Player of the Year for 2017, beating fierce rival Lionel Messi and Gianluigi Buffon to the coveted prize.
This was announced by Europe’s football governing body at a glitzy ceremony to host the Champions League Draws in Monaco Thursday.
The Real Madrid superstar became the first player to retain the prestigious award following his success last year, and he now overtakes Messi as the most decorated player in the UEFA awards with three gongs.
Ronaldo, 32, was rewarded for helping Real to a second consecutive Champions League title last season where he finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 12 goals, in addition to firing his side to a first La Liga trophy in five years.
Cristiano Ronaldo won UEFA's Best Player of the Year Award twice in a row.
— RMadridBabe (@RMadridBabe) August 24, 2017
The Portugal captain is now odds-on favourite for a fifth ballon d’Or award later this year that will see him match Barcelona’s Messi.
Ronaldo’s Real Madrid teammates Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric took home the best defender and midfielder awards respectively, while Juve’s shot-stopper Buffon was named the best goalkeeper for guiding the Italians to the final.
Meanwhile, Madrid have been drawn in a rather tough looking Group H that features Borussia Dortmund, Tottenham Hotspurs and Apoel Nicosia, while Barca will battle Juventus, Olympiacos and Sporting CP for a place in the last 16.
Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United will go against Benfica, Basel and CSKA Moskva, while Chelsea have their hands full with Atletico Madrid, Roma and minnows Qarabag.
See the full Draws below.
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