Cristiano Ronaldo wins best player in Europe award

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo (L) receives his Best Player UEFA 2014 Award from UEFA President Michel Platini during the draw ceremony for the 2014/2015 Champions League Cup soccer competition at Monaco's Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carlo, Aug 28, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

MONACO - Cristiano Ronaldo has won UEFA's award as the best player in Europe last season after scoring a record 17 goals in the Champions League.

The Real Madrid and Portgual forward beat Bayern Munich pair Manuel Neuer of Germany and the Netherlands' Arjen Robben.

The voting was by journalists from UEFA's 54 member countries at the Champions League groups draw event.

Ronaldo also ensured Portugal qualified for the World Cup by scoring a memorable hat trick in a playoff win against Sweden.

Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Franck Ribery previously won the award first presented in 2011.

UEFA created the prize after the original European Footballer of the Year honor, known as the Ballon d'Or, merged with FIFA's world player award.

Nadine Kessler of Germany won the women's award.