Ronaldo wins UEFA player of the year award

Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo has won the UEFA player of the year award ahead of Lionel Messi and Gianluigi Buffon.

The Ballon d’Or favourite was presented the award during a gala ceremony in Monaco on Thursday.

The Portuguese also won the forward of the year award.

Buffon, Juventus goalkeeper, won the best goalkeeper award.

Ronaldo’s Real teammates, Sergio Ramos and Luca Modric, won the defender and midfielder of the year respectively.

Dutch midfielder Lieke Martens, who won the Euros with Holland, was named the women’s footballer of the year.