Cristiano Ronaldo has won the FIFA Ballon d'Or award for the second year in a row. The Portuguese football star called the win an "unforgettable" moment and paid special tribute to his loved ones as he accepted his trophy. Standing on stage at the Kongresshaus in Zurich, Cristiano, 29, was flanked by his proud mum Dolores and his older brother Hugo. His most fervent supporter, however, was the athlete's adorable mini-me son – also named Cristiano and nicknamed Cristianinho by the family.
© Photo: RexCristiano Ronaldo kisses his lookalike son Cristiano as he accepts his award
Suited and booted for the Monday evening affair, the four-year-old was all smiles as he embraced his dad and clutched his leg. He looked up in admiration as his father, named the world's best football player of the year, started his emotional speech. "I can see my mother, my family," said Cristiano. "I would like to thank all those who voted for me. My coach, my fellow players, the President of my club."
© Photo: RexCristiano Ronaldo had the proud support of his mother and brother
He added: "It's been an unforgettable year. To win this trophy, a trophy of this kind, is something unique and all I can say is I want to continue working as I have so far, trying to go on to more titles – individual and as a team – for my mother, my father who is up there looking at us and my son. "I want to get better as the days go by. I want to say to all the Portuguese that I never thought I could win this trophy on three different occasions. Of course it is something that is always with me, I want to become one of the greatest players of all time, and this requires a lot so I would like to thank you for all this evening. BOOM!" Cristiano beat Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer to the top, with this year's win marking the third time he has picked up the gong.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThis is the third time that Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Ballon d'Or award
Last year Cristiano accepted the same award with his son at his side, but was also joined by his long-term Russian model girlfriend Irina Shayk. The raven-haired beauty, who Cristiano referred to as his "wife" during last year's acceptance speech, looked to be on holiday this time around as she shared idyllic beach holiday snaps from paradise just days before the ceremony.
There was no rest for the captain of the Portuguese football team, as the following day Cristiano was out on the pitch training again. "No day off. Even if you've earned one. #JustDoIt," he captioned an Instagram photo of himself in action.
