Cristiano Ronaldo beats Arjen Robben and Manuel Neuer to win UEFA Best Player in Europe award
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo won the UEFA Best Player in Europe award for the 2013-14 season ahead of Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben and Manuel Neuer
The Portuguese star scored a truck load of goals and leading Real Madrid to La Decima – their 10th Champions League crown – and the Copa del Rey title.
The 29-year-old scored 56 goals (51 for Real Madrid) and had 15 assists in all competitions for Real Madrid and Portugal.
Ronaldo thanks his teammates
A number of journalists voted for Ronaldo at the 2014/15 Champions League Group Stage draw and he was quick to thank everyone who helped him along the way.
“I have to say thank you to my team-mates as without them my individual aren't possible.
“I would like to also thank my family, my coaches and the journalists who voted for me.
This is the first time he has won the award. The previous winners of the award, which was first given away in 2010-11, were Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Franck Ribery.
“I'm really happy, I've never won this award so I'm going to get my brother to place this in my museum,” he added.
Ronaldo always come close, finally wins the award
Ronaldo has always finished as the first or second runners-up in the last three seasons. He is also the only player to be nominated all four times.
| SEASON | POSITION | PLAYER |
|---|---|---|
| 2010-11 | 1 | Lionel Messi |
| 2 | Xavi | |
| 3 | Cristiano Ronaldo | |
| 2011-12 | 1 | Andres Iniesta |
| 2 | Lionel Messi | |
| 3 | Cristiano Ronaldo | |
| 2012-13 | 1 | Franck Ribery |
| 2 | Lionel Messi | |
| 3 | Cristiano Ronaldo | |
| 2013-14 | 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo |
| 2 | Manuel Neuer | |
| 3 | Arjen Robben |