Cristiano Ronaldo wins 2016 Ballon d'Or ahead of Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann as Real Madrid star picks up award for a fourth time

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the world's best player for the fourth time

Lionel Messi came second whilst Antoine Griezmann finished in third

Ronaldo has won three previous Ballon d'Or - in 2008, 2013 and 2014   

The 31-year-old won Euro 2016 with Portugal as well as the Champions League

He now moves to within one of Lionel Messi's record of five Ballon d'Or 

Cristiano Ronaldo capped a brilliant year by being crowned winner of the Ballon d'Or for a fourth time in Paris on Monday night.

The Portugal and Real Madrid forward topped the poll of 173 journalists worldwide to take home France Football magazine's coveted award ahead.

In doing so he beat out the likes of perennial rival Lionel Messiand Antoine Griezmann, who finished second and third respectively.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the world's best player for the fourth time

France Football magazine announced the news on their Twitter account on Monday night

Cristiano Ronaldo, pictured in Japan on Monday, could not attend the event in person

2016 BALLON D'OR RESULT

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal / Real Madrid) 

2. Lionel Messi (Argentina / Barcelona) 

3. Antoine Griezmann (France / Atletico Madrid) 

4. Luis Suarez (Uruguay / Barcelona) 

5. Neymar (Brazil / Barcelona) 

6. Gareth Bale (Wales / Real Madrid) 

7. Riyad Mahrez (Algeria / Leicester City) 

8. Jamie Vardy (England / Leicester City)  

9. Pepe (Portugal / Real Madrid) 

9. Gianluigi Buffon (Italy / Juventus) 

11. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon / Borussia Dortmund) 

12. Rui Patricio (Portugal / Sporting Lisbon) 

13. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden / Manchester United) 

14. Arturo Vidal (Chile / Bayern Munich) 

14. Paul Pogba (France / Manchester United) 

16. Robert Lewandowski (Poland / Bayern Munich) 

17. Dimitri Payet (France / West Ham) 

17. Luka Modric (Croatia / Real Madrid) 

17. Toni Kroos (Germany / Real Madrid

NOTE: Of France Football's 30-man shortlist, 11 players received no votes. They were: Aguero, De Bruyne, Dybala, Godin, Higuain, Iniesta, Koke, Lloris, Muller, Neuer and Ramos. 

Ronaldo, who moves within one of Messi's record of five Ballon d'Or, was the overwhelming favourite after a stellar 12 months in which he won Euro 2016, the Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup.

The former Manchester United man also moves clear of three-time winners Marco van Basten, Michel Platini and the late Johan Cruyff.

The 31-year-old, who was not there to collect the award in person due to Real Madrid's Club World Cup commitments, described his latest triumph as 'a dream come true.'

'I  never imagined winning this trophy four times,' he added. 'I'm really happy and fulfilled.

'When it's the first time, the emotion is always special. But I I feel today like I did in 2008.' 

'I have the opportunity to thank all of my team-mates, the national team, Real Madrid, all of the people and players who helped me to win this individual award. 

The Portuguese star picked up a historic Euro 2016 victory for his country in Paris 

Ronaldo scored the winning penalty for Real Madrid in their Champions League triumph 

'As you can imagine I feel so proud and happy to receive this amazing and beautiful ball, I am so happy.' 

Ronaldo has so far scored 48 goals in 52 games for club and country during 2016 but it was his success in the two big tournaments of the year that ultimately saw him reclaim the prize from Messi.

He played a crucial role as Real beat city rivals Atletico Madrid in May to become European champions for a record-extending 11th time.

Then two months later, Portugal triumphed at Euro 2016 in France to claim a major trophy for the first time - despite losing their talisman to injury early on in the final. 

Football's governing body, FIFA, which relies on the votes of coaches, team captains, journalists and - for the first time - an online poll of fans, will be handing out its own award in January after separating itself from the Ballon d'or.

Ronaldo has so far scored 48 goals in 52 games for club and country during 2016

Ronaldo now moves to within one of Lionel Messi's record of five Ballon d'Or

A leaked image of the cover of France Football magazine's Ronaldo winners edition

LAST 10 WINNERS

2007 - Kaka 

2008 Cristiano Ronaldo

2009 Lionel Messi

2010 - Lionel Messi

2011 - Lionel Messi

2012 - Lionel Messi

2013 - Cristiano Ronaldo

2014 - Cristiano Ronaldo

2015 - Lionel Messi

2016 - Cristiano Ronaldo 

RONALDO'S 2016 

International:

Appearances - 13

Goals - 13

Assists - 3 

Club:

Appearances - 42

Goals - 38

Assists - 14  

Trophies - Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Euro 2016