Ballon d'Or 2016: Cristiano Ronaldo wins his fourth title ahead of rival Lionel Messi
Ballon d'Or 2016: All the latest news and build-up
Cristiano Ronaldo wins his fourth Ballon d'Or at an awards ceremony in Paris
Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, Luis Suarez and Neymar complete the top five
Ronaldo moves to within one of Messi's record five Ballon d'Or titles
DAILY MAIL
Cristiano Ronaldo has added yet more silverware to his already extensive collection by winning the 2016 Ballon d'Or ahead of long-time rival Lionel Messi.
Journalists from across the world voted to award Ronaldo his fourth title in recognition of his remarkable year for club and country.
The 31-year-old helped Real Madrid claim a record 11th European Cup with victory over cross-city rivals Atletico.
He then led Portugal to a shock triumph over France in the final of Euro 2016.
Rory O'Callaghan
Host commentator
Auto-update
20:41
Good evening!
So, Cristiano Ronaldo has moved one step closer to matching the individual achievements of Lionel Messi by claiming his fourth Ballon d'Or title this evening.
The Real Madrid star is now just one behind Messi and will be desperate to overhaul his rival at some point in the future.
Antoine Griezmann threatened to end the pair's hegemony of the award but in the end had to settle for third place.
Thanks for following all the build-up, action and reaction to tonight's ceremony.
Have a great evening!
20:27
Ronaldo wins fourth 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.
In doing so he beat out the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Luis Suarez and perennial rival Lionel Messi.
CLICK HERE to read the full article.
Cristiano Ronaldo has won his fourth Ballon d'Or title at an awards ceremony in Paris
20:22
Messi comes second to Ronaldo
As expected, Lionel Messi has been forced into second place this year, behind long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 29-year-old helped Barcelona win La Liga last season but his relative lack of success at international level has given Ronaldo the edge, following Portugal's triumph at Euro 2016.
Here are the final standings:
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)
The 11 unclassified players who received no votes were Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne, Paulo Dybala, Diego Godin, Gonzalo Higuain, Andres Iniesta, Koke, Hugo Lloris, Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer and Sergio Ramos.
Lionel Messi has missed out on a sixth Ballon d'Or after coming second to Cristiano Ronaldo
20:16
Antoine Griezmann finishes in third place
Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann has been forced to settle for third place.
There had been hopes the Frenchman could end Ronaldo and Messi's recen dominance of the Ballon d'Or.
The 25-year-old has scored 35 goals for club and country this year but has been pipped to the post by the two usual suspects.
Antoine Griezmann is the only player inside the top six to not play for either Real Madrid or Barcelona
20:05
Suarez finishes in fourth
Neymar's team-mate at Barcelona, Luis Suarez, has been announced in fourth place.
The Uruguayan has scored 49 goals since the start of the year and has now found the net 97 times in just 116 games since joining Barcelona from Liverpool in 2014.
Luis Suarez has missed out on the Ballon d'Or despite an incredible year in front of goal for Barcelona
19:59
Ronaldo celebrates winning with his son
Cristiano Ronaldo claimed the award alongside his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, who threw in a cheeky salute and dab in front of the cameras at France Football's headquarters in Paris.
19:56
19:53
Neymar finishes in fifth
France Football have begun to announce the remaining four players who finished in fifth to second place.
Barcelona forward Neymar has come fifth as a reward for winning silverware with both his club and country this year.
After winning La Liga with Barca, Neymar helped Brazil claim gold at their home Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Barcelona and Brazil winger Neymar has finished in fifth place
19:43
Ronaldo wins fourth 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.
In doing so he beat out the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Luis Suarez and perennial rival Lionel Messi.
CLICK HERE to read the full article.
19:31
Ronaldo accepts his award
19:24
Final standings
So that was certainly a strange way of announcing the winner...
We're still waiting to learn who else finished in the top five but Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar and Antoine Griezmann are expected to complete the line-up, barring any major upsets.
Here is the list so far:
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
2-5. ?
6. Gareth Bale
7. Riyad Mahrez
8. Jamie Vardy
9. Pepe
9. Gianluigi Buffon
11. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
12. Rui Patricio
13. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
14. Arturo Vidal
14. Paul Pogba
16. Robert Lewandowski
17. Toni Kroos
17. Dimitri Payet
17. Luka Modric
19:16
Ronaldo: Dream come true
Cristiano Ronaldo is currently away with Real Madrid in Japan for the FIFA Club World Cup and could not be at the ceremony in Paris to accept his award.
However, he has described his victory as a 'dream come true' in an interview with French publication L'Equipe.
‘This is, again, a dream come true. I never imagined winning this trophy four times. I'm really happy and fulfilled,' he said.
‘When it's the first time, the emotion is always special. But I I feel today like I did in 2008.’
19:12
19:02
Cristiano Ronaldo wins the Ballon d'Or
France Football have announced Cristiano Ronaldo as the winner of this year's Ballon d'Or.
Real Madrid team-mate Gareth Bale was announced in sixth place just moments ago but the Paris-based publication have jumped straight to announcing Ronaldo as winner.
Slightly baffling but stick with us as we find out who else finished in the top five.
19:01
No 8: Riyad Mahrez
Vardy's team-mate at Leicester, Riyad Mahrez, has gone one better than the England star and finished in ninth place.
The Algeria international wowed fans with his technique last season - notching 16 league goals as Claudio Ranieri's side romped to the Premier League title.
Mahrez was also announced as the winner of this year's BBC African Footballer of the Year earlier today.
Riyad Mahrez is one of two Leicester City players included on the final 30-man shortlist
18:56
No 9: Jamie Vardy
Jamie Vardy's remarkable year continues with an ninth-place finish in the Ballon d'Or awards.
The England international shocked world football by firing Leicester to the Premier League title against all odds last season.
Barring any major shocks, Vardy should finish as the highest ranked English player in this year's awards.
Jamie Vardy fired Leicester City to the Premier League title last season with 19 league goals
18:51
No 9: Pepe
This year Pepe has proved he is much more than just a pantomime villain.
Matching the achievements of Cristiano Ronaldo, the experience defender has won both the Champions League and Euro 2016 over the course of the last 12 months.
Pepe has won silverware with both Real Madrid and Portugal this year
18:44
No 9: Gianluigi Buffon
Veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is the oldest player to be included on France Football's 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or at 38 years old.
However, the Juventus shot-stopper has shown no signs of decline - helping Juventus claim a fifth consecutive Serie A title earlier this year.
Buffon remains Italy's first-choice goalkeeper and captained his side at Euro 2016, where the Azzurri were eventually beaten by Germany on penalties.
Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has returned to the Ballon d'Or shortlist after missing out last year
18:25
No 11: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has finished in 11th place after winning seven voting points.
The Gabon international has scored 19 goals in 20 games for Borussia Dortmund this season and has been linked with a big-money move to Real Madrid.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has finished in 11th place after a remarkable year with Borussia Dortmund
18:20
No 12: Rui Patricio
Ronaldo's international team-mate Rui Patricio has finished in a perhaps surprising 12th place.
The experienced goalkeeper helped Portugal's ageing defence keep clean-sheets in both the semi-final and final of Euro 2016 as Fernando Santos' side claimed a remarkable victory over France.
Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio has finished in 12th place after winning six voting points
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