Soccer

Ronaldo named Europe’s best

Real Madrid forward beat off competition form Bayern’s Manuel Neuer and Arjen Robben

Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid has been named Uefa’s Best European Player. Photograph: Denis Doyle/Getty Images
Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid has been named Uefa’s Best European Player. Photograph: Denis Doyle/Getty Images
Thu Aug 28 2014 - 19:17

Cristiano Ronaldo, whose extra-time penalty put the seal on Real Madrid's 4-1 Champions League final victory over Atletico Madrid in May, was named Uefa's Best Player in Europe on Thursday.

Ronaldo scored 17 goals in all as Real won the title for the 10th time.

The Portuguese was presented with the award in Monaco by Uefa president Michel Platini at the end of the draw for this season's Champions League.

He won ahead of Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben and Manuel Neuer in a live vote by a panel of 54 journalists.

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“I’m really happy, so I must say thanks to my team-mates because without the team, individual awards would not be possible. I don’t have this trophy in my museum, so my brother is going to put it there immediately,” he said.

Nadine Kessler won the women's award after captaining VfL Wolfsburg to the women's Champions League title, ahead of team-mates Nilla Fischer and Martina Müller.

Ronaldo opened a museum on Madeira in 2013 to showcase his trophies and medals.