The conclusion of the ninth edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards serves as a reminder of Cristiano Ronaldo’s remarkable legacy in this prestigious event.
Despite an exceptional season at Al Nassr in 2024, it was surprising to many that the Portuguese superstar did not receive a nomination for The Best Men’s Player award this year.
The accolade ultimately went to Vinícius Júnior, with Rodri and Jude Bellingham taking second and third places, respectively.
A look back at Ronaldo’s dominance at The Best
Since the awards’ inception in 2016, Ronaldo’s name has been synonymous with excellence, dominating the early years of the competition:
- 2016: In the inaugural edition, Cristiano Ronaldo was crowned the first-ever winner. His phenomenal year included lifting the UEFA Champions League and delivering astonishing goal-scoring performances, solidifying his place as the best in the world.
- 2017: Ronaldo repeated his success, winning back-to-back awards after another stellar season with Real Madrid, which further cemented his dominance.
- 2018: He secured the runner-up position, losing to his then-teammate Luka Modrić, whose incredible performances led Croatia to the World Cup final.
- 2019: Now representing Juventus, Ronaldo finished in third place, with Lionel Messi taking the top spot and Virgil van Dijk in second.
- 2020: In his final appearance on The Best podium to date, Ronaldo achieved second place behind Robert Lewandowski, who enjoyed a historic season with Bayern Munich, including a Champions League triumph.
A legacy of greatness
Across the first five editions of The Best, Ronaldo delivered a near-perfect record, earning two wins, two second-place finishes, and one third-place.
Clean sweep! Cristiano Ronaldo crowned the Best FIFA Men's Player 2016. Details ➡️ https://t.co/KdazHdWgUj pic.twitter.com/KVLnEVRTMo
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 9, 2017
His consistent excellence has made him the second most successful player in the history of this award, trailing only Lionel Messi.
The future of Cristiano Ronaldo
Despite being overlooked in 2024, Ronaldo’s incredible performances at Al Nassr—where he continues to prove his quality at 39 years old—leave the door open for a possible return to The Best stage in 2025.
With his relentless drive and unmatched determination, it would not be surprising to see him competing for this prestigious accolade once again.
