Fifa Ballon d'Or: Cristiano Ronaldo unable to contain tears after beating Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery to award The Portgual international beat off competition from Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery who were the other two players short-listed for the award which recognises the best player of the past year. Ronaldo last won the Ballon d'Or in 2008 while still a Manchester United player. In the summer of 2009 he moved to Real Madrid, for a then world record fee of £80m, where he has flourished, scoring over 200 goals and now in a position to hunt down the title of the club's all-time top scorer. Yet despite incredible performances backed up by a phenomenal number of goals and assists, Ronaldo has been forced to play the bridesmaid to Messi, who has won the award every year since Ronaldo's triumph in 2008. Ronaldo was the runner-up to the Barcelona player for the Ballon d'Or in 2009, 2011 and 2012. As Pele announced the winner at the ceremony in Zurich, Ronaldo bowed his head before turning to kiss his girlfriend Irina Shayk. The Portugal forward found it impossible to keep a grin from his face as we went to collect the award. On stage, the 28-year-old had tears in his eyes as he thanked his family, girlfriend, Real Madrid team-mates and Portugal colleagues. He also paid tribute to Portugal legend Eusebio, who passed away last week. In 2013, Ronaldo won fewer trophies than either of his rivals. While Ribery completed an historic treble with Bayern Munich, capped with the Champions League, and Messi propelled Barcelona to yet another La Liga title, Ronaldo only won the season's curtain-raising Supercopa. That Ronaldo was able to win the Ballon d'Or against this backdrop is perhaps a show of what an incredible year he has enjoyed personally. In 52 appearances for club and country he notched an astounding 62 goals including eight hat-tricks. Away from club football, Ronaldo shined for his country and his greatest triumph of the year on the international stage came in the two-legged World Cup play-off against Sweden. Related articles... Messi wears garish red suit Cristiano Ronaldo fights back tears after winning the Fifa Ballon d'Or award No Premier League players in FIFPro World XI team of the year Ibrahimovic wins 2013 goal of the year (for goal against England in 2012) Heynckes beats Sir Alex Ferguson to coach of the year award Fifa Ballon d'Or: Ronaldo in numbers Ronaldo deserved to win Ballon d'Or, say readers of The Independent Ronaldo says row with Blatter is 'no longer an issue'