Ronaldo leaves Messi in shade with 3rd Ballon d’Or

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts after winning the FIFA Men’s soccer player of the year 2014 prize at the FIFA Ballon d’Or awarding ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich, Switzerland, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. AP PHOTO/KEYSTONE,WALTER BIERI

ZURICH, Switzerland–Portuguese and Real Madrid great Cristiano Ronaldo won his third Ballon d’Or on Monday at the FIFA ceremony in Zurich to edge within one of his eternal rival Barcelona’s Argentinian magician Lionel Messi.

The 29-year-old forward–who played a key role in Real Madrid’s charge to a 10th Champions League trophy–beat Messi and Germany’s World Cup winning goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

Ronaldo was the star of the night in which Real teammate James Rodriguez won the goal of the year award and Germany’s Joachim Loew was declared coach of the year.

“I never thought I would win this trophy on three occasions,” Ronaldo said in his victory speech, signaling there would be no letup in his quest for football glory.

“I want to be one of the greatest players of all time and of course this requires a lot of effort,” added the Portuguese striker who also won the award in 2013 and in 2008.

Ronaldo, whose son and mother were present and burst into tears when he went up to collect the award, praised his team-mates and also paid homage to his family.

“I would like to thank my mother, to my father, who is in heaven and who is looking down on me, to my family,” said Ronaldo.

“It has been an unforgettable year and to win a trophy of this importance is unimaginable.”

The always well-groomed Portuguese then took to Twitter to express his joy.

“2014 was full of incredible moments. Thank you all!” he tweeted.

Ronaldo led Real Madrid to their 10th European Champions League crown–their first in 12 years–in sensational style in 2014, smashing Messi’s record of 15 Champions League goals in a single season with 17 in just 11 appearances.

The only real disappointment for him was that a patellar tendinosis problem in his left knee contributed to an underwhelming World Cup for the Portugal captain.

Ronaldo cruised to victory garnering 37.66 percent of the votes of the 181 national team coaches, 182 national team captains, and 181 media representatives who voted. Messi finished second with 15.76 percent and Neuer just adrift of the Argentinian with 15.72 percent.

His victory was greeted with joy in Portugal with both the president and the Prime Minister expressing their delight.

“This trophy is recognition of your superb sporting ability, of your determination and of your dedication which has been a feature of your footballing career,” wrote Portugal president Anibal Cavaco Silva on the presidential website.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos congratulated him but added he would like to play a role in delivering something that is missing from the superstar’s medal-filled cabinet.

“Cristiano has already said that what is missing from his brilliant career is to win something with the national team,” said Santos, who took over from Paulo Bento after Portugal lost 1-0 to Albania in their opening Euro 2016 qualifier.

“We will do all we can to make this happen.”

Loew, who moved up from assistant coach to the top job after the 2006 World Cup which Germany hosted and reached the semi-finals, said that the award rounded off a sensational year.

“It is for me a huge honor, it is the icing on the cake and the cake was winning the World Cup,” said Loew.

Loew, who also guided Germany to the Euro 2008 final where they lost to Spain, said that Germany’s win in Brazil was no accident but had been the fruits of long hard labor.

“Winning the World Cup was the consequence of many years’ hard work and lots of right decisions.”

Loew won the award with 36.23 percent of all votes.

Real Madrid’s Italian handler Carlo Ancelotti was second with 22.06 percent with Atletico Madrid’s Argentinian coach Diego Simeone third (19.02 percent) after an extraordinary season in which he led them to the Spanish title, ending the dominance of Real and Barca, and also to the Champions League final where they led their city rivals till the final minute.

Rodriguez’s sublime volley for Colombia against Uruguay in their last 16 match at the World Cup was a worthy winner for goal of the year voted on by the public.

The 23-year-old–who was outstanding as Colombia reached the quarter-finals only to lose to Brazil–came out ahead of Robin van Persie’s header at full stretch against Spain in the World Cup final group game against Spain and surprise finalist Irishwoman Stephanie Roche.

Rodriguez, who earned a big money move to Real Madrid on the back of his performances at the World Cup, said this was a special award for his country.

“I am happy, I would like to thank all those who voted,” said Rodriguez.

“It is a very special goal for me and for all of Colombia. These are words of happiness and gratitude.”–Eric Bernaudeau