Ronaldo wins FIFA Men's Player of the Year award

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Cristiano Ronaldo claimed the title as the top men's player at the second annual FIFA best football awards in London on Monday night, beating longtime rival Lionel Messi and the world's most expensive player Neymar to win the trophy for the second consecutive year.

The Real Madrid forward, who also won the award last year, has taken the honor for the fifth time, the same as his Barcelona superstar rival Messi.

FIFA has shifted the ceremony from January to October, so players are judged throughout the European season instead of the calendar year.

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo wins the Best FIFA Men’s Player award in London, UK, October 23, 2017. /Reuters Photo‍

"Thanks a lot for voting for me. I mention Leo and Neymar, great to be here. Real Madrid supporters, my team-mates, my coach, they all support me all year,” said 32-year-old Ronaldo.

Ronaldo, earning the honor at the expense of Messi again, led Real Madrid to their third Champions League title in four seasons in May. The Portuguese striker netted 25 times in La Liga to help Los Blancos edge out arch-rivals Barcelona for the Championship.

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane /Reuters Photo

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane was awarded the Best Men's Coach. Dutch duo Lieke Martens and Sarina Wiegman were rewarded as The Best FIFA Women' s Player and Women' s coach.

Gianluigi Buffon was named Best FIFA Goalkeeper, which was set up for the first time in history.

Buffon, approaching 40, was also named in a FIFPro team which also features Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Dani Alves, Leonardo Bonucci, Andres Iniesta, Messi and Neymar.

Former Argentina player Diego Maradona and former Brazil player Ronaldo speak during the FIFA Best Awards ceremony in London, UK, October 23, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Fans from around the globe voted in their hundreds of thousands for the Puskas and FIFA Fan Awards, with Frenchman Olivier Giroud, the ultimate winner, thanks to his superb "scorpion kick" goal scored for Arsenal against Crystal Palace in the English Premier League.

Celtic supporters won their second Fan Award, thanks to their stunning 360-degree card tribute to the "Lisbon Lions."

CGTN Photo

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