Cristiano Ronaldo wins fourth Ballon d'Or

A handout picture provided by L'Equipe on 12 December 2016 of Real Madrid's Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo posing with the Ballon d'Or 2016 trophy at Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, 08 December 2016.  [Photo/IC]

PARIS - Cristiano Ronaldo has been named winner of the Ballon d'Or by France Football magazine for a fourth time on Monday.

The Real Madrid and Portugal striker beat out arch-rival Lionel Messi of Barcelona for the coveted award, as well as the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

Ronaldo, who moves within one of Messi's record of winning five times, was the overwhelming favorite after being voted for by 173 journalists from around the world, while 11 of the 30 nominees receiving zero vote.

The 31-year-old has scored a total of 102 goals in 110 appearances for club and country throughout the calendar year, helping Real win the Champions League in May and Portugal triumph over hosts France for Euro 2016 in July.

Absent from Monday evening's ceremony in Paris, Ronaldo, who's currently on Club World Cup duty with Real in Japan, made his acceptance speech through a pre-recorded footage.

"For me it's a great honor to receive my fourth golden ball," said the Portuguese. "The emotion is like for the first one, it's a dream come true again. I never thought in my mind to win four times. I'm so happy."