Cristiano Ronaldo Wins Third Ballon d’Or, Aims To Be One Of Football’s Greatest Players

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, is congratulated by FIFA President Sepp Blatter (R) after winning the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2014 during the soccer awards ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich January 12, 2015. Ronaldo, who won the award for the second time in a row and third overall, was voted ahead of Argentina forward Lionel Messi and Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer in the annual poll. Reuters/Arnd Wiegmann

After a remarkable year and a spectacular season with Real Madrid with the club winning the European Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and its 10th European Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo was given the FIFA Ballon d'Or award at the star-studded gala in Zurich on Jan. 12. However, more important than winning awards and adding trophies to his museum, Ronaldo's main goal is to become one of the greatest players of all time.

Ronaldo beat rival Lionel Messi, who is a four-time FIFA Ballon d'Or winner, and Manuel Neuer to win the award. The Portuguese received 37.66 percent of all the votes. Messi and Neuer, on the other hand, received 15.76 percent and 15.72 percent of the votes, respectively.

In his acceptance speech, Ronaldo thanked his son, family, and everyone who voted for him. The 29-year-old Portuguese superstar also shared the prize with his coach Carlo Ancelotti, fellow teammates and club president Florentino Perez.

To cap off his unforgettable year with the FIFA Ballon d'Or award is something "unique," according to Ronaldo. As such, Ronaldo vows to keep going and continue what the work that he has done so far. He said he wants to win more titles not only for himself but also for Real Madrid. He added that he wants to improve and become a better player.

"I would never have thought that I would earn this trophy on three different occasions," Ronaldo said in Portuguese via an interpreter. "I want to become one of the greatest players of all time and of course, this requires a lot of efforts and I hope to get there."

FIFA Awards Winners

FIFA Ballon d'Or - Cristiano Ronaldo

FIFA Women's World Player of the Year - Nadine Kessler

Men's World Coach - Joachim Loew

Women's World Coach - Ralf Kellerman

Presidential Award - Hiroshi Kagawa

Fair Play Award - All volunteers at FIFA competitions

Puskas Award - James Rodriguez

FIFA FIFPRO World XI - Manuel Neuer, Sergio Ramos, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Philipp Lahm, Andres Iniesta, Toni Kroos, Angel Di Maria, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Argen Robben