Breaking News: Cristiano Ronaldo Wins His Fourth Ballon d'OR But Was Absent To Receive The Award

Portugal and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Ballon d'Or for a fourth time.

Ronaldo was part of teams which won both the European Championships and the Champions League during the 2016/17 season.
The 31-year-old topped the poll of 173 journalists worldwide.
Ronaldo played a crucial role as Real beat city rivals Atletico Madrid in May to become European champions for a record-extending 11th time.
Just two months later, he helped Portugal triumph at Euro 2016 in France to claim a major trophy for the first time, despite losing their talisman to injury early in the final.
Ronaldo has scored 48 goals in 52 appearances club and country during 2016, although he was unable to accept the award in person as he in Japan as Real Madrid prepare to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The last time he won the Ballon d'Or was in 2014, the year it merged with the FIFA World Player of the Year accolade.