Winners of FIFA Ballon d'Or 2014 soccer awards appear on stage together with FIFA President Sepp Blatter (R) after the ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich January 12, 2015. (L-2nd R) Philipp Lahm, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Ramos, Toni Kroos and Crist
Winners of FIFA Ballon d'Or 2014 soccer awards appear on stage together with FIFA President Sepp Blatter (R) after the ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich January 12, 2015. (L-2nd R) Philipp Lahm, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Ramos, Toni Kroos and Cristiano Ronaldo. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann

The 2014 Ballon d'Or was the given out on a gala night at the Zurich Kongresshaus on Jan. 12 2015. This was the fifth year of the award ceremony. Cristiano Ronaldo was the FIFA Ballon d'Or winner with 37.66% of the votes polled, Messi finished second with 15.76% votes and Manual Neuer was third with 15.72% votes. The Puskas Award was given to Real Madrid's James Rodrigues for the most beautiful goal last season. FIFA women's world player of the year was Nadine Kebler of Germany. The coach of the year was Joachim Low again of Germany and the FIFA world coach of the year for women's football was German club VfL Woflsburg coach Ralf Kellermann.

Cristiano Ronaldo had arguably his best season in a Real Madrid shirt last season. He scored 51 goals in 47 appearances. The only other season where he scored more goals than matches was in 2011-12 season when he scored 60 in 55 matches. On the honours front he won the much coveted 10th UEFA Champions League crown for Real Madrid. He also won the Copa del Rey last year.

James Rodriguez beautiful goal against Uruguay at the World Cup was voted the best of last season. He received 42% of the votes, second placed Stephanie Roche got 33% and third placed Robin van Persie got 11% votes.

The German Nadine Kebler, who won the FIFA Woman Player of the year, scored 31 goals in 58 matches for VFL Wolfsburg. Her team won the Bundesliga as well as the UEFA Women's Champions League last season. Coach Ralf Kellermann was awarded the coach of the year for women's football for the same.

The 2014 FIFA World Cup winning team's coach Joachim Low was the coach of the year. There were three players form that team in the team of the year. The full team comprised of Manuel Neuer, Sergio Ramos, David Luiz, Thiago Silva, Philipp Lahm, Andres Iniesta, Toni Kroos, Angel Di Maria, Arjen Robben, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The FIFA Presidential award was presented to the Japanese Hiroshi Kagawa, a former football player who is now a sports journalist. Finally the FIFA fair play award was given to the 2014 FIFA World Cup volunteers.

Video Credit You Tube/FIFATV

To contact the author of this article, email a.biswas@IBTimes.com.au

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