The Guardian’s annual poll crowns a new champion.
Cristiano Ronaldo has finally taken his place at the top of The Guardian’s list of the world’s top 100 footballers.
The Portuguese striker has been at, arguably, his most powerful in 2014. He lifted the Champions League and helped himself to 56 goals in 51 matches overall.
While he did not enjoy a good World Cup – unlike Messi – Ronaldo still took 74% of the vote from the panel of 73 judges, including Hernán Crespo, Didi Hamann, Slaven Bilic and Gilberto Silva.
Messi, who topped the poll in both 2012 and 2013, came second with just 12% of the overall vote, with Manuel Neuer, Arjen Robben, Thomas Muller and Paul Pogba among the also rans.
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