Cristiano Ronaldo - 2014 Ballon d'Or Winner

Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded the 2014 FIFA Ballon d'Or award last night for the second consecutive year at a ceremony held in Zurich.

This was the Real Madrid forwards third Ballon d'Or (2008/2013/2014), as he topped a poll of journalists, international coaches and captains to the title of 'World's Best Player' during the calender year 2014, beating Barcelona striker Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Ronaldo has also been runner-up on four occasions (2007/2009/2011/2012).

Ronaldo received 37.66 per cent of all votes, while Messi just pipped Manuel Neuer to second place, with 15.76 per cent compared to 15.72 per cent for Germany's World Cup-winning goalkeeper.
The remaining 30.86 per cent of the votes were split between a number of other players including: Arjen Robben, Thomas Muller, Philipp Lahm and Neymar to name just a few.

Ronaldo's latest success comes on the back of 12 months during which he scored 56 goals in 51 club games for Real Madrid in all competitions, along with 21 assists. Among his 56 club goals he scored a competition-record 17 in Real Madrid's Champions League-winning campaign.
Roanaldo also made 9 appearances for the Portuguese national team, scoring 5 times with one assist.

On receiving the award on stage from guest Thierry Henry, 29 year-old Ronaldo said the following:

"I can see my mother, my family. I would like to thank all those who voted for me. My coach, my fellow player, the President of my club.
It's been an unforgettable year. To win this trophy, a trophy of this kind, is something unique and all I can say is I want to continue working as I have so far, trying to go on to more titles - individual and as a team - for my mother, my father who is up there looking at there any my son.
I want to get better as the days go by. I want to say to all the Portuguese that I never thought I could win this trophy on three different occasions. Of course it is something that is always with me, I want to become one of the greatest players of all time, and this requires a lot so I would like to thank you for all this evening. BOOM!"

Germany national manager Joachim Low won the 'Coach of the Year' award ahead of Real boss Carlo Ancelotti and Diego Simeone of Spanish champions Atletico Madrid.

The Puskas Trophy for the best goal of 2014 went to Columbia's James Rodriguez for his volleyed World Cup goal against Uruguay,
Republic of Ireland women's striker Stephanie Roche was 2nd for her ball juggle and volley for Peamount United, with Robin van Persie third in the public vote for his diving header in Holland's 5-1 win over Spain at the finals.

Wolfsburg captain Nadine Kessler added FIFA's Women's World Player of the Year trophy to the UEFA equivalent she won last year.

Ralf Kellerman also of Wolfsburg won the award FIFA Women’s Football Coach of the Year.


FIFA's World Team of the Year for 2014 was as follows:

Manuel Neuer (Germany/Bayern Munich)
Philipp Lahm (Germany/Bayern Munich), Thiago Silva (Brazil/PSG), David Luiz (Brazil/PSG), Sergio Ramos (Spain/Real Madrid)
Toni Kroos (Germany/Real Madrid), Andrés Iniesta (Spain/Barcelona), Ángel Di Maria (Argentina/Manchester United)
Lionel Messi (Argentina/Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Real Madrid), Arjen Robben (Netherlands/Bayern Munich).

All the latest World Cup 2014 injury news!

Germany:

Bastian Schweinsteiger (right) will be available for today's World Cup clash against Portugal.

A local Brazilian website - Radar64 - claimed the 29-year-old was airlifted to hospital after taking a knock to his left foot in training on Friday.

But the German FA (DFB) insist the hospital visit was for a routine MRI scan, because of his recent knee injury, and he later rejoined the team in Salvador to prepare for today's Group G match at the Arena Fonte Nova.

The Bayern Munich midfielder has struggled with tendinitis of the knee since the German Cup final a month ago.

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has recovered from his shoulder injury and will start today's World Cup match against Portugal, coach Joachim Loew said.
Neuer, Germany's number one goalkeeper for the last four years and pillar of their defence, injured his shoulder in Bayern Munich's German Cup final victory over Borussia Dortmund last month.

Neuer did not play in the friendlies against Cameroon and Armenia.

Germany captain Philipp Lahm, who was also struggling with an injured ankle, is likely to play a holding midfield position rather than in the back four, a visibly relieved Loew told a news conference ahead of his team's Group G opening game against Portugal in Salvador.


Portugal:

Cristiano Ronaldo said he is "100 per cent" fit and ready for Portugal's opening World Cup match against the powerful Germans today. However after an injury-disrupted campaign for Real Madrid there are huge concerns over his fitness.

The Real Madrid star had ice applied to his troublesome left knee after training on Thursday, sparking fears over his fitness ahead of Monday's Group G opener.

The 29 year-old former Manchester United forward, arguably the most recognizable player in the sport, said he wouldn't risk his career by going into such a tough match with a serious injury.


United States:

Timothy Chandler is a fitness doubt for the USA's opener versus Ghana today. The right-back injured his leg in practice last Tuesday.

Stars and Stripes coach Jurgen Klinsmann will be keeping a keen eye on the full-back's progress while DaMarcus Beasley deputises.

Nigeria:

Nigeria will have a full squad for their opening game today against Iran. Defensive midfielder Gabriel Reuben is available having missed two days training with a knee problem.

Although he is not expected to start, the midfielder's return is a welcome boost to Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi, who continues to rue the injury-enforced pre-tournament departure of AS Monaco defender Elderson Echiejile.


England:

England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (right) has expressed optimism that he will recover from a knee injury in time for his side's second World Cup game against Uruguay on Thursday.

"It's coming along," said the Arsenal player, who damaged knee ligaments in a friendly against Ecuador last week and sat out England's opening Group D game against Italy on Saturday.

Asked about his chances of featuring against Uruguay in Sao Paulo, he told British newspaper journalists: "We are not sure about timescales.

"We are hopeful that would be realistic, but there is nothing set in stone and I can't say whether I will definitely be back or not.


Brazil:

Givanildo Vieira de Souza or Hulk limped out of a training session on Sunday morning but later said his injury was not serious and he expects to be fit for Brazil’s World Cup match against Mexico on Tuesday.

The Zenit St Petersburg striker who was playing for Brazil’s first string against a second string team in a training match.
"I felt a niggle and came off as a precaution,” he told reporters shortly before the squad were due to fly 1,350 miles to the northern city of Fortaleza.


Cameroon:

Samuel Eto'o missed training for a second successive day on Sunday with the striker still struggling with a knee injury as Cameroon prepare for Wednesday's match against Croatia.


Croatia:

Croatia playmaker Luka Modrić (right) should be fit to resume training after being given the all clear following a foot problem, the Croatian Federation said on Sunday.

The 28-year-old Real Madrid star suffered a blow to his foot during Thursday's opening World Cup match, a 3-1 defeat by Brazil at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo.


Spain:

Spanish media reports suggest Spain reserve goalkeeper David De Gea will be sidelined for up to 10 days, ruling him out of the final two Group B matches against Chile and Australia.

The Manchester United player, 23, missed training on Sunday after picking up a buttocks injury. The champions face Chile on Wednesday and then Australia five days later.

Captain and regular goalkeeper Iker Casillas' poor play in Friday's 5-1 loss to the Netherlands had given De Gea a possible chance to take over the starting role.
Pepe Reina is the only other goalkeeper available to the World and European champions going into Wednesday's must-win game against Chile at the Maracana.


Italy:

AC Milan left-back Mattia De Sciglio (right) pulled up in training in Portobello last Thursday with a thigh muscle strain.

Although the injury prevented the 21 year-old from playing against England on Saturday, he is hopeful to be fit again in time for the group match against Costa Rica this Friday.

Meanwhile Italy are waiting on goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon who twisted his left ankle last Friday, forcing the veteran Juventus man to miss the win against England.

Enrico Castellacci, Italy's team doctor indicated that it is to early to know for sure whether either player will definitely be available for selection on Friday.