Ronaldo wins the 2017 Ballon d'Or to bring him level with Messi

Ronaldo bagged his fifth Ballon d'Or Credit: PA

Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Ballon d'Or for a fifth time to move level with rival Lionel Messi.

The Real Madrid forward was named the winner of France Football's prestigious award at a ceremony in Paris on Thursday.

Ronaldo, 32, previously won the award in 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2016.

Messi finished second in the voting while Neymar, who joined Paris St Germain in a world-record transfer deal this summer, was third.

Chelsea's N'Golo Kante was eighth in the voting, the highest-placed of the seven Premier League players nominated.

Ronaldo has had an outstanding 2017, helping Madrid to a LaLiga, Champions League and Spanish Super Cup treble this year.

"I feel very happy, it's a fantastic moment in my career, I've been waiting for this for a long time," the 32-year-old said in the ceremony at the Eiffel Tower.

"This year has been great, we won the Champions League and La Liga and, on a personal level, I was a top scorer in the Champions League.

"Trophies help win these awards and we have to thank my colleagues from Madrid and Portugal, it was very important for me."