UEFA Player of the Year: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lieke Martens win awards

Photo Credit: UEFA.com

32-year-old Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the UEFA’s Player of the Year, beating Lionel Messi and Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon to the prize.

The Portugal captain helped Madrid to a second consecutive UEFA Champions League title and finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 12 goals last season.

He has now won the award three times, one more than Messi.

Barcelona’s Netherlands midfielder Lieke Martens, 24, won the women’s prize.

Martens was instrumental in her country’s European Championship victory this summer, where she was named the player of the tournament.

She beats Wolfsburg striker Pernille Harder and Lyon midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsan to claim the prize.

England striker Jodie Taylor and right-back Lucy Bronze were named in the top 10, but missed out on the top three, voted for by coaches and journalists.

Other Awardees of the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League Season

Best Goalkeeper of the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League season: Gianluigi Buffon

Best Defender of the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League season: Sergio Ramos

Best Midfielder of the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League season: Luka Modrić

Best Forward of the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League season: Cristiano Ronaldo

UEFA President’s Award: Francesco Totti