Ronaldo wins UEFA Best Player in Europe award for 2nd time

Cristiano Ronaldo capped off the best season of his career with another accolade on Thursday, winning the UEFA Best Player in Europe award after a campaign in which he tasted both club and international success, hoisting the Champions League and Euro 2016 titles.

Ronaldo, who joins Lionel Messi as the only player to claim the honour twice, beat out Real Madrid teammate Gareth Bale and Atletico star Antoine Griezmann for the hardware.

(Courtesy: UEFA)

"Of course, I feel happy because it was an unbelievable season," Ronaldo said after accepting the award following the completion of the Champions League draw.

"But it wouldn't be fair if I didn't mention these two amazing players (Bale and Griezmann). Griezmann, I am sorry for your loss to Portugal in the final, but you are an amazing player. It was an unbelievable season."

Ronaldo, 31, led Madrid to its 11th Champions League title by scoring 16 goals in the competition last season; that was more than 26 teams managed in total.

It was the most fitting of endings when the sculpted attacker slotted home the clinching penalty in the final against Atletico.

But his greatest accomplishment came at the international level later in the summer, when Ronaldo captained Portugal to its first-ever European Championship.

Despite the knee injury that prematurely forced him out of the final against France, his influence on the side was undeniable, as he returned to the sideline to bark out instructions in the latter stages and willed his team to glory.