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Ronaldo, Zidane, Buffon Best of 2017 Football

Five Real players were named in the best 11 of the year, with Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos joining Ronaldo, while Messi and Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Neymar and Dani Alves (PSG), Leonardo Bonucci (AC Milan) and Gianluigi Buffon (Juv
Cristiano Ronaldo (L), Zinedine Zidane (C) and Gianluigi Buffon
Cristiano Ronaldo (L), Zinedine Zidane (C) and Gianluigi Buffon

Real Madrid’s Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo was crowned the best soccer player in the world for the second year running at FIFA’s The Best Awards gala in London on Monday.

The ceremony, which took place at the London Palladium, is the second since the FIFA award once again split from France Football’s Ballon d’Or prize last year, Evening Standard reported.

The four-time Ballon d’Or winner, Ronaldo won a La Liga and Champions League double with the Madrid club this year.

Barcelona’s Argentina forward Lionel Messi, who has won the Ballon d’or five times, and Paris St Germain’s Brazil forward Neymar were runners up for the award voted for by national team coaches and captains plus the media and fans.

Real Madrid’s French coach, Zinedine Zidane, won the manager of the year trophy for his part in the club’s success.

Zidane became the first-ever coach to win back-to-back Champions League titles as Real Madrid beat Juventus in the final in May. He also led the team to its first La Liga title in five years.

Gianluigi Buffon of Juventus was declared best goalkeeper. Buffon guided Juve to a sixth consecutive Serie A title and managed 600 Champions League minutes without conceding a goal.

  Puskas Award Winner

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud won the Puskas Award for the best goal of the year, which was the Frenchman’s scorpion kick against Crystal Palace.

The Netherland’s Lieke Martens won best female player of the year, while the Dutch women’s national team coach Sarina Weigman was voted best manager after the team’s triumph at Euro 2017.

Celtic supporters won the Fan Award, recognizing their celebrations in May for the 50th anniversary of the club winning the European Cup.

The Fair Play Award went to Francis Kone for saving the life of goalkeeper Martin Berkovec, who almost suffocated by swallowing his tongue during a Czech league match in February.

In the best 11 of the year, Buffon was the goalkeeper selected, while Paris Saint Germain’s Dani Alves and AC Milan’s Leonardo Bonucci were picked in defense, along with Madrid pair Sergio Ramos and Marcelo.

Madrid’s Luka Modric and Toni Kroos were included in midfield, together with Barcelona playmaker Andres Iniesta.

The three nominees for the Men’s Player Award—Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar—took the three attacking spots.

The event was attended by a host of football stars past and present, including Diego Maradona, Ronaldo, Frank Lampard, Sergio Ramos and Harry Kane.

 

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