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When Pele announced Cristiano Ronaldo as the winner of the 2013 FIFA Ballon d’Or, the Portuguese ace gave his girlfriend a kiss and stepped up to the stage at Zurich’s Kongresshaus where he tearfully took receipt of the award from the Brazilian legend.
The footballing world later paid tribute to the Real Madrid and Portugal player, with FIFA.com bringing you just some of the reactions.
“I would like to congratulate Cristiano because he was a worthy winner. I don’t have anything else to say. It was a great year for all three of us (Ronaldo, Messi and Franck Ribery) and that’s why we’re here. I don’t have any complaints or any apologies to make either.” Barcelona’s Argentinian livewire Lionel Messi, who came second in the voting for the 2013 FIFA Ballon d’Or.
“Every player knows how difficult it is to win awards, especially one as big as this. I was rooting for Messi, but they made a good decision. He’s an idol of mine too. Congratulations to Ronaldo,” Barcelona and Brazil player Neymar.
“I’m immensely satisfied because justice has been done to the extraordinary year of an extraordinary player who has so much talent. That’s the only way you can win an award like this. As a Portuguese person and the national team coach I am very happy. He is a genuine person and he got emotional, which is only natural,” Portugal coach Paulo Bento.
“I think it’s really deserved, not just for this year but for all the work Cristiano Ronaldo has done for so many years. He’s worked hard to get better year after year. He’s just amazing,” Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.
“He is the first Portuguese to receive this honour twice. This award comes as recognition for his exceptional level of performance and for the drive and dedication he has shown throughout his career as a footballer. He wears the national colours and the pride of Portugal around the world,” Portugal PresidentAnibal Cavaco Silva.
“I am very happy. We should all feel very proud that Ronaldo was the best player in the world last year,”Greece’s Portuguese coach Fernando Santos.
“Ronaldo turned in some fantastic performances for Real Madrid and the national team in 2013. He went through some anxious times, which explains why he struggled to keep it all in. We feel proud as Portuguese people to see one of our players win the Ballon d’Or. He deserves it for everything he did in 2013,” Portuguese Football Association Chairman Fernando Gomes.
“All I’m going to say is that Cristiano Ronaldo’s Ballon d’Or is richly deserved. It is recognition for his hard work, talent and will to win,” Real Madrid President Florentino Perez.
“I’m disappointed for Ribery, but I know that Ronaldo is a deserving winner of the FIFA Ballon d’Or,” UEFA President Michel Platini.
“You have to know how to win and how to lose. Today is Cristiano’s day and you have to congratulate him,” Barcelona and Brazil defender Dani Alves.
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