International footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Spain's Real Madrid and the Portugal National Team, has been recognized as one of the best players in the world in the last ten years. He's made it to FIFA FIFPro World XI from 2007 to 2013, bagged the FIFA Club World Cup Silver Ball, FIFA World Players of the Year and a whole lot more. Despite these awards, Ronaldo remains behind the shadow of Argentinean Lionel Messi because the latter have won more Ballon D'Or awards than him. Ballon D'Or is treated as the most prestigious individual in football and for Ronaldo, he can't be called the best if he doesn't have such trophy in his display.

This one reason why the Real Madrid star was so emotional last night while receiving his second FIFA Ballon d'Or. Ronaldo narrowly edged FC Barcelona's Messi and Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery.

Ronaldo was holding back his tears while on the stage accompanied by football legend Pele and FIFA Chief Sepp Blatter. He first won the title in 2008 but he was more emotional this time because he was beaten out by archrival Messi the last four times. In an interview, he once said that he was motivated to improve by Messi's stellar performance.

"First of all, I have to say a great thanks to all of my team-mates with the club and the national team, Ronaldo said as he cried during his speech. "Without all of their efforts this would not have been possible. I am very happy, it is very difficult to win this award.

"Everybody that has been involved with me on a personal level, I have to thank. My wife, my friends, my son. It is a tremendously emotional moment. All I can say is thank you to everybody that has been involved.

It wasn't an easy ride for Ronaldo to get the Golden Ball trophy. He narrowly beat Lionel Messi who remained in contention despite being injured most of the time. He's also been criticized by Blatter for his intention to boycott the awards night.