Paris: Cristiano Ronaldo capped a remarkable year by claiming a fourth Ballon d'Or award on Monday after leading Portugal to an emotional European Championship title and Real Madrid to a record-extending Champions League crown in 2016.
Ronaldo is one short of the record tally of five awards won by Barcelona's Argentina forward Lionel Messi, who was second with the pair having taken the first two spots since 2011.
"It's a great honour to receive my fourth golden ball. The emotion is like for the first one, it's a dream come true again. I never thought I would win four times. I'm so happy," said Ronaldo, who won the award in 2008, 2013 and 2014.
"I have to thank all my teammates, the national team, Real Madrid, all the people, the players who helped me to win this individual trophy. I want to enjoy this moment because it's not easy to win this.
"It's probably the best year of my career collectively, with Real Madrid and Portugal.
"Real are used to winning titles while Portugal had never won a major title so this (Euro 2016) title is special. I don't want to disrespect the Champions League but the title with Portugal is a level above."
The Ballon d'Or, which merged with the Fifa World Player of the Year award from 2010-15 to create the Fifa Ballon d'Or, returned to France Football magazine this year.
A total of 173 journalists voted but not national team coaches and captains who were also polled for the Fifa award.
Ronaldo, however, said he was unable to celebrate his award as much as his previous triumphs due to recent allegations of tax evasion.
Ronaldo expressed disappointment at the timing of the charges against him.
"Of course it (allegations) has spoiled it a little bit. I would be lying if I said it hadn't. I'm not a hypocrite," he told France Football.
"What came out troubles me. Because it's not true. The lie is troubling. I have done things correctly.
"There are a lot of innocent people in prison. And I feel a little bit like that. You know you have done nothing wrong, and they say you have done something reprehensible. No one likes that."
