Pictures: Ronaldo Claims His Second Ballon d’Or.

Portugal and Real Madrid forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, last night, was named the world player of the year for a second time since 2008- when he was with Manchester United.

The winger beat Argentina captain Lionel Messi. The prize was handed out at a gala inside Zurich’s Kongresshaus, Switzerland.

Barcelona playmeker, Messi, has won the Ballon d’Or award on four successive occasions, becoming the player to have won it the most times.

Bayern Munich and French sensational midfielder, Franck Ribery, who scored 12 goals, made 14 assists in 12 Bundesliga games in 2013 and helped ‘Les Blues’ reach the 2014 FIFA World Cup via the playoffs, completed the list of the three final nominees.

Messi, 26, despite missing the last six weeks of the 2012/13 season due to a thigh injury, netted 42 goals in just 45 appearances for club and country, while helping the Baulgranas win the La Liga and the Spanish Cup.

Last but not the least, Ronaldo, banged in 66 goals in 56 games in 2013 in all competitions for club and country. Most notably is his match-winning hat-trick which sent Portugal into the group stage of the 2014 Brazil World Cup- as well as 15 assists in the calendar year.

Were injury ruined Messi’s season, Ronaldo is never injured, making him the standout player of 2013.

Other Categories

Presidential Award- Former IOC President: Jacques Rogge

Special (Recognition) Award- Brazilian Superstar: Edson Arantes do Nascimento aka Pele

Fair Play Award- Afghanistan Football Federation

Women’s World Player of the Year- Germany Goalkeeper: Nadine Angerer.

Ferenc Puskas Award (for the Best Goal)- Sweden Striker: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (For his remarkable 40-yard overhead kick against England)

Men’s Coach of the Year- Retired Bayern Munich Coach: Jupp Heynckes

Women’s Coach of the Year- Germany Coach: Silvia Neid