The best man won. This has been Cristiano Ronaldo's year, a 12-month carnival of extraordinary forward play. It has been so good, even the man who doesn't like him had to admit it.
'Yes, it was justified,' Lionel Messi noted through gritted teeth. 'It was deserved.'
Much is made of the tensions that exist between Ronaldo and Messi but this is not a rivalry to promote something. This antipathy is genuine and was evident from the moment they walked into a cavernous room in Zurich's Kongresshaus for a pre-ceremony conference.
Soccer legend, Ronaldinho Gaúcho congraturated the Madrid star upon winning the 2014 Ballon d'Or over Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer -- with a post he took to his facebook account and shared;
Parabéns xará, por mais um ano de conquistas individuais e principalmente coletiva!!! O futebol mundial agradece teu exemplo!!!
Felicitaciones tocayo, por otro año de logros individuales y sobre todo colectivos!!! El mundo del fútbol agradece a su ejemplo!!!
Congratulations my namesake, for another year of individual achievements and mainly collective!!! The football world appreciate your example!!!
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo shared the stage but there was a frosty atmosphere in Zurich
Messi and Ronaldo, here with Manuel Neuer, did not look comfortable in each other's company
Ronaldo (left) and Messi (centre) sat next to each other during the Ballon d'Or Gala
Ronaldo beat his rival to the award as he was crowned with the 2014 Ballon d'Or after a stellar 12 months
FIFA President Sepp Blatter (right) congratulates Ronaldo on winning the award
Ronaldo shows his emotions after beating Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer to the coveted gong
Ronaldo (right) celebrates with his son Cristiano Jr on stage after winning the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2014
