Cristiano Ronaldo named World Footballer of the Year

Cristiano Ronaldo has been crowned with the 2014 Ballon d'Or award after being named as the world's best player for a second successive year.

The 29-year-old pipped Manuel Neuer and perennial rival Lionel Messi to the gong after a stellar 12 months.

Ronaldo played an integral role for Real Madrid as they won four trophies during the previous calendar year, scoring a stunning 56 goals in 51 appearances as the Spanish giants collected the Copa del Rey, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup.

'I can see my mother, my family. I would like to thank all those who voted for me. My coach, my fellow player, the President of my club,' Ronaldo said after collecting the award from Thierry Henry.

'It's been an unforgettable year. To win this trophy, a trophy of this kind, is something unique and all I can say is I want to continue working as I have so far, trying to go on to more titles - individual and as a team - for my mother, my father who is up there looking at there any my son.

'I want to get better as the days go by. I want to say to all the Portuguese that I never thought I could win this trophy on three different occasions.

'Of course it is something that is always with me, I want to become one of the greatest players of all time, and this requires a lot so I would like to thank you for all this evening. BOOM!'