Cristiano Ronaldo Wins Prestigious FIFA Award After Record-Breaking Year

• Cristiano Ronaldo picked the special award after a stunning run of form that saw him break the men's international goalscoring record
• Ronaldo currently has 115 international goals in his name for Portugal, six ahead of the previous record-holder, Ali Daei
• The Portuguese talisman was also included in the FIFPRO Men's World11 ahead of Mohamed Salah

Man United marksman Cristiano Ronaldo has won the FIFA Special Award after a record-breaking 2021.

Ronaldo was snubbed from the shortlist for the FIFA Best Player of the Year, with Bayern ace Robert Lewandowski and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah among those nominated.

However, the former Real Madrid star must be proud of himself as he was among a number of football personalities who picked individual prizes during the awards ceremony held in Zurich, Switzerland, on Monday, January 17.

Ronaldo won a special FIFA award for becoming the men's all-time top scorer back in September 2021.

At the time, the Portuguese international scored twice for his country against the Republic of Ireland to take his international goals tally to 115 goals in 184 appearances.

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In his acceptance speech, Ronaldo thanked his teammates and everyone who has been behind him to help him in hitting the milestone.

"First of all I have to say thank you to my teammates, especially the national team during the last 20 years," he said.

"I never thought [I would beat] the record, to score 115 - the record was 109, right? So, six goals ahead. I'm so proud for this special award from FIFA, an organisation I respect a lot.

"Of course, I have to say thank you to my family, my wife, my kids - and soon I will be a father again, so really proud. It's a great achievement," he added.

Ronaldo, Messi named in FIFA Best World XI

Earlier, Sports Brief reported The FIFPRO Men's World11 was unveiled at The Best FIFA Awards ceremony on Monday evening in Zurich, Switzerland.

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Despite five Premier League stars making the team, there was no place for Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah.

The squad had four strikers included, with Lewandowski, Ronaldo, Messi, and Haaland all making the cut.