By Chris Wright
A doff of the cap is due to Cristiano Ronaldo, who has just earned himself a second Ballon d’Or award at FIFA’s schmoozy gala dinner in Zurich – and damn sharp he looked while doing so to boot, save the teary eyes…
Lionel Messi (looking particularly dandy in a crimson tuxedo) and Franck Ribery were beaten into second and third place respectively.
Apparently the overall voting ratios went something like this: Ronaldo: 27.99 %, Messi: 24.72 %, Ribery: 23.36 %
Also, Ronaldo has equalled his Brazilian namesake’s record for the longest gap between Ballon d’Ors, what with it being five years since his last trinket. Mr Nazario de Lima won it 1997 and 2002.
The FIFPro Team of the Year for 2013 was also announced, though only after Sergio Ramos went and ruined the surprise by Tweeting a photo of the entire XI several hours before the line-up was officially announced…
Hopefully we should have a few more photos of the big night available for you in good time.
(Photo: PA)