Soccer ace Cristiano Ronaldo nabs the Best Player in Europe award by the UEFA. The ceremony was held Thursday in Monaco. He was up against winger Gareth Bale and Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann, two soccer stars who also had a fantastic year.
But Ronaldo's year was just too phenomenal as he scored 51 club goals in the span of 48 matches. The icing on the top of the cake was his performance in the Champions League when he had an astounding 16 goals in 12 matches to power his club towards winning the trophy.
Ronaldo already has one Best Player in Europe award when he won it in 2013. If his performance this year is any indication, the 31-year-old might just need more space in his mantle for future awards.
After winning the award, the soccer star was quoted by Daily Mail saying "It's a great honor. My team-mates are the key they are the key every year."
"I work hard myself but without their help, this would not be possible," he added.
One of the other nominees for the award, Antoine Griezmann, was quoted by FoxSports as more deserving than Cristiano Ronaldo to get the UEFA Best player in Europe award this year some days before the winner was announced. Griezmann and Ronaldo's rivalry would probably make next year's head-to-head matchups more interesting and heated as Griezmann has lost the European Championship, Champions league, and now UEFA's Best player in Europe award.
Ronaldo was a bit more cordial towards his rival as he was quoted in his acceptance speech saying, "Of course, I feel happy because it was an unbelievable season."
But it wouldn't be fair if I didn't mention these two amazing players," said Ronaldo. Griezmann, I am sorry for your loss to Portugal in the final, but you are an amazing player. It was an unbelievable season."
But despite the standout season of the two other nominees, Ronaldo definitely deserves this award by having an even better outing. He can sleep easy tonight knowing he is the best player in Europe this year.
