SHAFAQNA – Cristiano Ronaldo is primed to clinch a second consecutive Ballon d’Or after beating Lionel Messi to the top prize in Spain.
The Real Madrid striker was handed La Liga’s Player of the Year award on Monday night after scoring 31 league goals for the Champions League holders.
It may come as a blow to Messi, who had won each of the previous five.
Cristiano Ronaldo (right, with girlfriend Irina Shayk) took home the best player in Spain award on Monday night
Ronaldo and Irina pose for the cameras ahead of the awards gala at which the Real Madrid star was kink
Ronaldo’s ‘mule kick’ against Valencia which won best goal
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (tackled by Luka Modric and Marcelo) had won the previous five La Liga awards
Sergio Ramos (left) and Diego Simeone won the best defender and coach awards at the glitzy ceremony
Luka Modric (left) holds his best midfielder trophy and (right) with his girlfriend Vanja Bosnic and son Ivano
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2810838/Cristiano-Ronaldo-clinches-La-Liga-best-player-award-ahead-Ballon-d-Or.html#ixzz3HSQleh8i
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook