Cristiano Ronaldo has won the prestigious FIFA Ballon d’Or award for the second year in a row. Ronaldo, aka CR7, defeated Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer to win the top honor, and is now officially recognized as the best player in the world for the year 2014.

The 29-year-old superstar had an incredible 2014 with 60 goals scored in 56 games, and winning 4 trophies (the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and the 2013 Ballon d’Or).

Congratulations to Ronaldo. His third Ballon d’Or now places him closer to usurping Messi, who has won 4 Ballon d’Or trophies.

In his acceptance speech, Ronaldo said that it is something unique to win a trophy of this kind, and that he will continue to work ahead to win more trophies for his family members, trying to improve each day.

Ronaldo added that he hopes to become the greatest footballer of all time.