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Cristiano Ronaldo wins UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award for 2016/17 season

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo gestures as he poses with the trophy after he was awarded the title of "Best Men's Player in Europe"
Image: Cristiano Ronaldo has been named as UEFA Men's Player of the Year for the 2016/17 season

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has won the 2016/17 UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award after another impressive campaign for his club and country.

Ronaldo beat off competition from his Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon to take the prestigious award at a ceremony in Nyon, Switzerland on Thursday.

The Portugal international scored twice in last season's Champions League final against Juventus to help Madrid claim their twelfth title, while he also passed the 100 goals mark in the competition.

Juventus' golakeeper Gianluigi Buffon reacts after the UEFA Champions League final football match between Juventus and Real Madrid at The Principality Stad
Image: Ronaldo beat Gianluigi Buffon to the award

Ronaldo also helped his country claim an unexpected triumph in the European Championship in France last summer.

Ronaldo vowed to maintain his high standards after accepting the award from UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.

"Every year is the same challenge - to win everything, if possible," he said. "With my club, the international team, we are not qualified [for the World Cup] yet, we have that to do.

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"I'm so glad to be here and win this trophy again. I have to say thank you to my team-mates, I'm so happy for them too."

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As expected, Buffon was awarded Goalkeeper of the Year after helping Juventus finish as runners-up to Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Lieke Martens has produced a string of impressive performances for Netherlands at the Euros
Image: Netherlands midfielder Lieke Martens took home the top women's prize

Sergio Ramos took home the award for the top defender in Europe, while his Bernabeu team-mate Luka Modric was named the best midfielder.

Ronaldo was also presented with the Forward of the Year award after claiming his fourth Champions League title.

Meanwhile, Dutch midfielder Lieke Martens was handed the women's player of the year award after helping the Netherlands win the European Championship on home turf this summer.

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