Who won the Golden Ball for World Player of the Year 2017?
VerifiedAnswer: Cristiano Ronaldo
Explanation:
Cristiano Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or (Golden Ball) for World Player of the Year in 2017, making it his fifth time receiving this prestigious award. This achievement placed him in an elite category alongside Lionel Messi, who also has multiple Ballon d'Or titles to his name.
The Portuguese superstar earned this recognition primarily for his outstanding performances during the 2016-17 season with Real Madrid. During this period, Ronaldo played a crucial role in helping Real Madrid secure both the La Liga title and their 12th UEFA Champions League trophy. His leadership and goal-scoring ability were instrumental in these victories.
In the Champions League campaign that year, Ronaldo was particularly impressive, finishing as the tournament's top scorer with 12 goals. His performances in crucial matches, especially during the knockout stages, demonstrated why he's considered one of the greatest footballers of all time. He scored important goals against Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals and continued his remarkable form throughout the competition.
The Ballon d'Or ceremony took place in December 2017, where Ronaldo received 946 points from the voting panel consisting of journalists, national team coaches, and captains from around the world. He comfortably won ahead of Lionel Messi, who finished second, and Neymar Jr., who came third in the voting.
This was Ronaldo's second consecutive Ballon d'Or win, having also won it in 2016. His previous victories came in 2008, 2013, and 2014, showcasing his consistency and longevity at the highest level of football. The 2017 award was particularly special as it came during a period when he was already 32 years old, proving that age was just a number for this exceptional athlete.
