Ronaldo, Real sweep Globe Soccer awards

Published December 31, 2014
Dubai: UEFA president Michel Platini (C) poses alongside (L to R) Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, midfielder James Rodriguez, president Florentino Perez and star attacker Cristiano Ronaldo at the Globe Soccer awards ceremony.—AFP
Dubai: UEFA president Michel Platini (C) poses alongside (L to R) Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, midfielder James Rodriguez, president Florentino Perez and star attacker Cristiano Ronaldo at the Globe Soccer awards ceremony.—AFP

DUBAI: Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid were the big winners in the Globe Soccer Awards on Monday night.

Ronaldo received the Best Player of the Year award and Marca fan’s favourite player of the year, then watched as his Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti won Coach of the Year, his club president Florentino Perez received Best President of the Year and then Real Madrid were presented as the Best Club of the Year.

Ronaldo had led Real Madrid to a record 10th Champions League title, setting a new record for most goals scored in a single campaign along the way.

“I just feel happy it’s one more trophy for my dedication and hard work. I want to say thank you to the people at Real Madrid — the players, the coach — we had a fantastic season, we won four trophies and we are one of the best teams in the world,” the Portugal international said.

“La Decima was a special moment as Real Madrid have looked forward to winning it. To win this award is one of the great pleasures, I am very proud,” added the two-time Ballon d’Or winner.

The Ballon d’Or for 2014 will be awarded on 12 January in Zurich, with Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer joining Ronaldo on the shortlist.

“I hope that it’s a good sign [for the Ballon d’Or] but I’m not worried about that,” Ronaldo said.

Ancelotti saw off competition from World Cup winner Joachim Loew and Pep Guardiola to claim the coach’s prize.

Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes won the gong for players’ representatives.

James Rodriguez won the best revelation player of the year, although the Real starlet shone to prominence representing Colombia at the FIFA World Cup.

The sixth edition of the awards also saw AC Milan’s Filippo Inzaghi receive a player career award and Bayern Munich’s Mehdi Banatia receive a special award.

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2014

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