Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has beaten Lionel Messi to the 2016 Ballon d'Or title, closing the gap on his long-standing rival.
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The 31-year-old, who was the favourite to lift the award, has now been announced as the 2016 Ballon d'Or winner by France Football.
This is his second Ballon d'Or title, after claiming it in 2008, and takes his overall tally to four Footballer of the Year titles after winning the FIFA Ballon d'Or twice (2013 and 2014) – Messi won the 2009 Ballon d'Or and the FIFA Ballon d'Or in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015.
France Football and FIFA handed out the FIFA Ballon d'Or in the previous six years but ended their collaboration this year.
Ronaldo lifts the award after already being named UEFA's Footballer of the Year and guiding Real to the UEFA Champions League title, as well as captaining Portugal to their first ever UEFA European Championship.
Journalists voted for this year's winner of the Golden Ball, and saw Ronaldo as the most deserving player for his achievements in 2016.
Read: 10 Stars Who Say Ronaldo Deserves Ballon d'Or
The Portuguese is also among the three finalists for the 2016 FIFA Best Men's Player award, alongside Messi and Antoine Griezmann.
Since 2004, the winner of the Ballon d'Or was also named FIFA Best Men's Player of the Year, and Ronaldo will find out on 9 January 2017 whether or not this trend will continue.
Do you think Ronaldo deserves to win the 2016 Ballon d'Or title? Have your say in the comments section below.
