Cristiano Ronaldo crowned UEFA's Best Player in Europe

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 25 August 2016

Cristiano Ronaldo beats Gareth Bale and Antoine Griezmann to be named as UEFA's Best Player in Europe for 2016, following success in the Champions League and Euro 2016.

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has added another individual accolade to his collection, having been named as UEFA's Best Player in Europe for 2016.

The Portugal international, who enjoyed a season to remember last time out with both club and country, was up against teammate Gareth Bale and Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann in the three-player shortlist.

Ronaldo again impressed in 2015-16, scoring more than 50 goals for Madrid for the sixth year running to help his side to an 11th Champions League crown, before spearheading his national team's run to the Euro 2016 title.

There was similar success for Bale, who played a pivotal part in Wales's own run to the latter stages of the competition - where they were knocked out by Ronaldo's Portugal in the semis - following on from a fine showing in the European Cup final against Atletico.

Atleti's star man Griezmann was the final player bidding to oust Ronaldo as Europe's finest, but his six goals in six games for France at the Euros, combined with 29 goals for the Rojiblancos, was not enough to win the judges' votes.