Cristiano Ronaldo wins FIFA Best Player 2017 award...

Cristiano Ronaldo retained his crown as Fifa men's player of the year in London on Monday night.

The Real Madrid and Portugal superstar was against Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar for the award he won last year.

The ceremony, which took place at the London Palladium, is the second since the Fifa award once again split from France Football's Ballon d'Or prize.

Cristiano Ronaldao after winning the award said: "I want to mention Leo and Neymar to be here. Real Madrid supporters, my teammates, my coach, they support all the year so I have to say thank you to them. 

"I'm really glad. This is a great moment for me. I know I have fans all over the world so thank you for the support. I appreciate that.

"And I think I say everything. It's great to be here around these great players, this amazing player and I'm so happy guys. Thank you everybody and good night."

Ronaldo has scored 44 goals for club and country so far in 2017 and scored twice in the Champions League final in June as Real won the competition for a record-extending 12th time.

Messi has hit 50 goals for Barca and Argentina while Neymar, the world's most expensive player after he left Barcelona for PSG in the summer, has 25 goals to his name for Barca, PSG and Brazil.

The winners are decided by a jury of club and international coaches, media representatives and fans.

---STANDARD