ZURICH: Cristiano Ronaldo ended the four-year dominance of Lionel Messi when he was awarded the 2013 FIFA Ballon d’Or in Zurich on Monday.

The tearful 28-year-old Real Madrid and Portugal star, who won the award in 2008, had been the overwhelming favourite to pip Barcelona and Argentina wonder Messi, winner the previous four years, and France’s Franck Ribery, who claimed the treble with Bayern Munich in 2013.

Although he failed to win any major titles with Real Madrid last season, Ronaldo was rewarded for his immense goal-scoring prowess with his prolific 69-goal tally in 2013.

In a tight race, Ronaldo received 1,365 points, Messi had 1,205 and Ribery got 1,127. Voting was done by national team captains and coaches, plus selected journalists in each FIFA member country.

Jupp Heynckes, now retired, was named coach of the year for the first time after leading Bayern Munich to an unprecedented Bundesliga, Cup and Champions League treble, a fitting end to a 48-year career as player and coach.

The Afghanistan Football Federation and fiery Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic were among other award winners.

Afghanistan was given the Fair Play award after staging its first home game for 10 years, a friendly against Pakistan.

Ibrahimovic won the Ferenc Puskas award for the best goal of the year, although his stunning overhead kick from near the touchline in a friendly against England was scored in 2012 and missed the deadline for last year’s ceremony.

European champions Germany swept the women’s awards. Goalkeeper Nadine Angerer was player of the year and Sylvia Neid won the women’s coaching award.

Brazilian legend Pele received an honorary Ballon d’Or trophy, which he could never get during his career when the original prize created by France Football magazine in 1956 was restricted to European players.

Former IOC president Jacques Rogge was given the president’s prize for a “remarkable personality in sport”.—Agencies