C Ronaldo wins the 2017 Ballon d'Or ahead of Lionel Messi and Neymar in Paris

Cristiano Ronaldo has been awarded the 2017 Ballon d'Or in a glitzy ceremony at the Eiffel Tower as the Real Madrid superstar clinched the gong for a fifth time by finishing ahead of Lionel Messi and Neymar.

Ronaldo is now level with Barcelona's Messi on five Ballon d'Ors following a 2016-17 season in which he won the Champions League and La Liga double with Real Madrid.

“Of course, I feel happy. It's a big moment in my career,” Ronaldo said upon being presented with the award.

“It's something I hope to win every year. Thanks to my Real Madrid team-mates. And I want to thank the rest of the people who helped me reach this level,” he added.

Ronaldo was later joined on stage by his mother Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro and son Cristiano Ronaldo Jr as his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez watched on from the audience.

Ronaldo came out on top in the ceremony as organisers France Football revealed the 32-year-old beat out competition from the 29 other nominees to win the award, which is voted for by a group of 173 journalists.