Cristiano Ronaldo wins his 5th Ballon d’Or

By Yusuf Ozcan

PARIS

Real Madrid's Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo won his fifth Ballon d'Or late Thursday.

He was recognized as the best performing football player of 2017 at the event organized by French magazine France Football.

The 32-year-old forward's victory was announced on Europe's top-tier international football tournament UEFA Champions League's Twitter account.

With this fifth award Ronaldo ties his rival Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

In the votes for the Ballon d'Or, Messi came second followed by Paris Saint-Germain striker Neymar.

In 2017, Ronaldo's Spanish club Real Madrid won the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup.

Ronaldo previously won this award in 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2016.