Presented to the top footballer in the world on a yearly basis, the FIFA Ballon d’Or Award serves as the highest individual honor in professional soccer. With some of the most prestigious names in the history of the sport attached to the prominent Golden Boot award including Brazilian star Kaka, former Real Madrid midfielder Zinedine Zidane and 2013 candidates Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, FIFA’s top honor is a tremendous way to honor the top player in the world each and every year. Based on voting from coaches, international captains and journalists from around the globe, the Golden Boot Award – which was officially named the FIFA Ballon d’Or Award in 2010 – recognizes the greatest players in the game in tremendous fashion.
After Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Franck Ribery were named the three finalists for the 2013 FIFA Ballon d’Or Award last month, voters had the daunting task of selecting one player from a pool of extremely talented footballers, a difficult situation since each finalist possess unique skills that put them amongst the world’s best. Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery was a tremendous piece in the Bundesliga club claiming the 2013 UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and German championships, impressive accomplishments for an extremely talented player and club.
Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo continued to score goals at an impressive pace for Real Madrid, notching 59 for his La Liga squad while four-time winner Lionel Messi – despite battling multiple injuries – helped Barcelona win its fourth La Liga title in five seasons, registering 46 goals in 31 total matches. With a loaded group of finalists hoping to achieve the top individual accomplishment in the sport, the 2013 Ballon d’Or Award was one of the most competitive and interesting in recent time.
In front of a capacity audience at Switzerland’s Kongresshaus, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo was named the 2013 recipient of the FIFA Ballon d’Or Award.
The honor is CR7’s first since taking home the 2008 Ballon d’Or Trophy and after leading Portugal to the 2014 World Cup with a four-goal effort against Sweden in a two-legged WCQ Playoff, Ronaldo certainly earned the title of World’s Best Player for 2013.
Ronaldo claimed the 2008 award ahead of finalists Lionel Messi and Fernando Torres but that was as a member of Barclays Premier League club Manchester United. Taking home his first FIFA Golden Boot award wearing Real Madrid colors, Ronaldo further solidifies himself as one of the best players in the game.
Additional Awards
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 (Goal of the Year) - Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Ballon d'Or Prix d'Honneur - Pele
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