Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Ronaldo wins another European award for his museum

August 29, 2014 00:41 IST

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo kisses his Best Player UEFA 2014 Award. Photograph: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Cristiano Ronaldo, whose extra-time penalty put the seal on Real Madrid's 4-1 Champions League final victory over Atletico Madrid in May, was named UEFA's Best Player in Europe on Thursday.

Ronaldo scored 17 goals in all as Real won the title for the 10th time. The Portuguese was presented with the award in Monte Carlo by UEFA President Michel Platini at the end of the draw for this season's Champions League.

Ronaldo won ahead of Robben and Neuer

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo (C) with Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer (L) and Arjen Robben before receiving his Best Player UEFA 2014 Award. Photograph: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

He won ahead of Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben and Manuel Neuer in a live vote by a panel of 54 journalists.

"I'm really happy, so I must say thanks to my team-mates because without the team, individual awards would not be possible. I don't have this trophy in my museum, so my brother is going to put it there immediately," he said.

Kessler won the women's award

Wolfsburg's Nadine Kessler (L) receives her Best Women's Player UEFA 2014 Award from UEFA President Michel Platini. Photograph: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Nadine Kessler won the women's award after captaining VfL Wolfsburg to the women's Champions League title, ahead of team-mates Nilla Fischer and Martina Mueller. 

Ronaldo opened a museum on Madeira in 2013 to showcase his trophies and medals.