The Portugal captain beat Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to the award.

Wolfsburg and Germany midfielder Nadine Kessler was named women's player of the year, while Colombia's James Rodriguez won goal of the year.

Cristiano Ronaldo has stated his intent to be remembered as one of football's greatest-ever players in history after he was crowned with the 2014 Ballon d'Or award.

The 29-year-old beat Manuel Neuer and perennial rival Lionel Messi to the gong after a stellar 12 months which saw him win the coveted prize for a second successive year.

Ronaldo has now been voted world footballer of the year three times, one short of four-time winner Messi, and the Real Madrid star stressed his determination to win more awards in the years to come.

 

 

 

 

 

culled