While Cristiano Ronaldo, the Real Madrid attacker, won FIFA’s Ballon d’Or, it appears the more interesting story is that neither Ronaldo nor his arch-rival Lionel Messi voted for one another, attempting to give themselves a better chance of winning the sought-after award.
Ronaldo finished second to Messi in 2011 and 2012, but after an amazing year that saw him score 69 goals in 59 games, Ronaldo ended Messi’s 4 year run as the world’s best fútbol player. Voting was done by national team captains and coaches, plus selected journalists, in FIFA’s 209 member countries who chose their top 3 preferences. Ronaldo received 1,365 points, Messi had 1,205 and Franck Ribery got 1,127.
Here are the other awards that were presented:
FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year: Nadine Angerer
FIFA Men’s Football Coach of the Year: Jupp Heynckes
FIFA Women’s Football Coach of the Year: Silvia Neid
FIFA Presidential Award: Jacque Rogge
FIFA Fair Play Award: Afghanistan Football Federation
FIFA Puskas Award: Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Sweden v England
Ballon d’Or Prix d’Honneur: Pele
FIFA/FIFPro World XI:
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer – Bayern Munich
Defender: Philipp Lahm – Bayern Munich
Defender: Sergio Ramos – Real Madrid
Defender: Thiago Silva – PSG
Defender: Dani Alves – FC Barcelona
Midfielder: Andres Iniesta – FC Barcelona
Midfielder: Xavi Hernandez – FC Barcelona
Midfielder: Franck Ribery – Bayern Munich
Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo – Real Madrid
Forward: Zlatan Ibrahimovic – PSG
Forward: Lionel Messi – FC Barcelona
