Cristiano Ronaldo wins UEFA Player of the Year gong

Updated 25/08/2016 at 18:35 GMT

Cristiano Ronaldo has won the UEFA's Player of the Year award, which was announced during the Champions League group stage draw on Thursday.

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal kisses the Best Player UEFA 2015/16 Award

Image credit: Reuters

The Real Madrid forward was up against team-mate Gareth Bale and Atletico striker Antoine Griezmann.

Ronaldo scored 35 league goals as well as 16 in the Champions League for Madrid last season. He also captained Portugal to victory in the tournament scoring three goals on the road to the final in which he left the pitch injured, only to emerge on the touchline to bark orders.

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Bale scored 19 La Liga goals in the 2015-16 season plus three for Wales at Euro 2016, who progressed to the semi-finals in their first major tournament in 58 years.

Ronaldo, Griezmann

Image credit: Reuters

Topping the scoresheet at the Euros with six goals, France's Griezmann also netted 22 for Atletico Madrid in La Liga last season, as well as another seven in the Champions League.

[BEST TWEETS: Erm… what are you wearing, Antoine Griezmann?]

Elsewhere in the women's competition, Lyon and Norway forward Ada Hegerberg was selected winner over France and Lyon, now Portland Thorns midfielder Amandine Henry, as well as 2016 Olympic gold medalist, Germany and Lyon midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsan.