Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo's Ballon d'Or win was down to the Portuguese's dedication and hard work just as much as his talent.

The Los Blancos forward scooped the prize on Monday evening after fending off competition from Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery and Barcelona's Lionel Messi, and his boss reckons that the desire to constantly improve helped Ronaldo clinch the prestigious award.

"The award is for part talent and part work, in football today if you don't work you get nothing, it is a prize for the work he is doing," Ancelotti told reporters.

"Talent is genetic and needs work to show talent on the pitch.

"He is an example for his fair play. Football needs players such as him, and Messi, Ribery and Thiago Silva. They offer a good image."

The award is the second time Ronaldo has officially been recognised as the planet's finest footballer, after the Portuguese forward won the FIFA World Player of the Year prize in 2008 while at Manchester United.