Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was named UEFA’s Player of the Year, becoming the first player in the history to win the award three times after 80 Champions League and Europa League coaches, together with 55 journalists representing each of UEFA’s member association voted. The Portuguese skipper received 482 points while Messi got 141 points and Buffon finished third with 109 points.

Ronaldo had a fantastic 16/17 campaign scoring 42 goals in 46 appearances but it was his worst return since moving to the Bernabeu from Manchester United in 2009. However, his 12 goals including in two in the final and four assists in 13 Champions League appearances made sure Real Madrid made history by becoming the first side to retain the converted trophy in its current format.

 

Thank you to my teammates, coaches and staff who helped me win this trophy again. I dedicate this to my family, friends and fans. This is also yours!

A post shared by Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano) on Aug 24, 2017 at 11:19am PDT

Ronaldo has been winning individual accolades for years and his competition during the journey has been Messi, the duo has been battling out for every top individual award but when reporters asked who he sees as being capable of picking up the mantle once he and Barcelona star Lionel Messi retire.

Ronaldo acknowledged that there is plenty of potential within the game ready to inherit the most prestigious of crowns, adding: “That is a very good question. I see some with great potential: Asensio, Mbappé, Neymar, Dembele, Hazard, Rashford ... and some others. In the next generation, there are at least 10 players with very, very great potential.”

Asensio is already a star at Real whilst Hazard, Mbappe and even Rashford have been linked with Madrid, although Dembele appears to be close to Barcelona.