Cristiano Ronaldo Wins Third Ballon d’Or – Yaya Touré Ranked 14th
As predicted by many fans and polls, including Africa Top Sports.com, Cristiano Ronaldo was crowned Ballon d’Or 2014 winner on Monday night in Zurich. This marks the Portuguese star’s third title (after 2008 and 2013), and further solidifies his legendary status in world football.
With 35.66% of the votes, Ronaldo finished well ahead of his closest rivals:
🔟 Top 10 Ballon d’Or 2014 Rankings:
Cristiano Ronaldo – 35.66%
Lionel Messi – 15.76%
Manuel Neuer – 15.72%
Arjen Robben – 7.17%
Thomas Müller – 5.42%
Philipp Lahm – 2.90%
Neymar – 2.21%
James Rodríguez – 1.47%
Toni Kroos – 1.43%
Ángel Di María – 1.29%
🇨🇮 Yaya Touré – The Lone African:
Yaya Touré, the Ivorian midfielder and African Player of the Year, finished in 14th place with only 0.86% of the votes. Despite a brilliant season with Manchester City and another strong year for Côte d’Ivoire, his low ranking has sparked some frustration and debate among African fans and pundits, who feel his contribution was undervalued on the global stage.
⚠️ A bit harsh? Perhaps. Touré had an incredible year, helping City win the Premier League and League Cup, and his influence on African football remains unmatched. Still, global visibility and performances in the World Cup and Champions League tend to weigh heavily in Ballon d’Or voting.
While Touré’s 14th place may seem disappointing, his presence among the world’s top 23 remains a testament to his elite level and consistent excellence.
