The Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has won the FIFA 2014 Ballon d’Or award for the third time, beating off competition from four-time winner Lionel Messi and German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

The 29-year-old Portuguese captain won the prestigious award with 37.66 per cent of the vote ahead of Barcelona forward Messi (15.76 per cent) and Bayern Munich shot-stopper Neuer (15.72 per cent).

FIFA #BallondOr 2014 winner @Cristiano received 37.66% of all votes ahead of Lionel Messi (15.76%) & @Manuel_Neuer (15.72%).

— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) January 12, 2015

The evening of awards at Zurich brings plenty of activity on Twitter – and here is some of our favourite tweets from the professionals.

Ballon d’or tonight @Cristiano to win for me. And @Persie_Official to win best goal

— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) January 12, 2015

Congratulations to Cristiano Ronaldo, the meritorious winner of the Ballon d’Or!

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 12, 2015

Congratulations to Cristiano Ronaldo, the meritorious winner of the Ballon d’Or!

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 12, 2015

Congratulations @Cristiano on winning #BallonDOr2014 well done on a superb year

— Thierry Henry (@ThierryHenry) January 12, 2015

Muchas felicidades @Cristiano por el #BalonDeOro , el reconocimiento a un gran año!

— Iker Casillas (@CasillasWorld) January 12, 2015

Viva ronaldo

— Charlie Austin (@chazaustin9) January 12, 2015

Bravo à toi mon ami !!! Felicitaciones a ti mi amigo !!! Congratulations to you my friend !!! @Cristiano @realmadrid #HalaMadridYNadaMas

— Karim Benzema (@Benzema) January 12, 2015

People saying #messi had a bad year too…..50 bloody goals #TheMagicMan #TheArtist

— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) January 12, 2015