Cristiano Ronaldo was named UEFA’s Men’s Player of the Year for 2016-17.
The awards for the 2016-17 season, which culminated when Real Madrid beat Juventus in the Champions League final in Cardiff, were presented prior to the draw for this season’s tournament.
Real Madrid and Portugal forward Ronaldo won the leading award after top-scoring in the Champions League for a fifth successive season.
Congratulations @Cristiano Ronaldo, UEFA Men’s Player of the Year 2016/17! ???? ????????????#TheUEFAawards #UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/c5hp96ZgBy
— #UCLdraw (@ChampionsLeague) August 24, 2017
Ronaldo helped Real become the first team to defend the title in the Champions League era, while also winning LaLiga and FIFA’s Club World Cup.
It was the third time in four seasons that Ronaldo had won the award, with Barcelona and Argentina’s Lionel Messi taking it in 2014-15. He was also named forward of the season.
Goalkeeper of the season went to Gianluigi Buffon of runners-up Juventus, who, like Messi, had also been nominated for the main prize.
Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos was named defender of the season and his team-mate Luka Modric claimed the midfielder award.
The Women’s Player of the Year was Lieke Martens of Barcelona.
Italian Francesco Totti, who retired in May after representing Roma throughout his career received the UEFA President’s Award from Aleksander Ceferin.
