FIFA names Cristiano Ronaldo soccer’s player of the year

Cristiano Ronaldo won the FIFA Player of the Year award for the second straight year on Monday and third time overall. The Portuguese forward, who led Real Madrid to its record 10th European title, received 37.66 percent of votes of national team coaches and captains to add to the FIFA awards he won in 2008 and 2013. Ronaldo scored 61 goals last year for club and country, and set a Champions League season record with 17. “I want to become one of the greatest players of all time,” he said through a translator in his acceptance speech. “Of course, this requires a lot of effort and I hope to get there.” Lionel Messi, the Argentine star forward on Barcelona, was second in voting with 15.76 percent, just ahead of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (15.72), who helped Germany to the World Cup title. – AP