Former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo became only the second footballer this century to win the BBC’s 2014 Overseas Sports Personality award.
The 29-year-old Real Madrid and Portugal forward was named world player of the year 11 months ago ahead of tennis player Serena Williams, boxer Floyd Mayweather and MotoGP rider Marc Marquez.
“Thank you BBC for choosing me and to my old fans in England. Thank you very much,” said Ronaldo, who has scored 281 goals in 267 matches for Real.
Ronaldo, who has scored 27 hat-tricks for Real, netted 17 goals in last season’s Champions League, breaking the previous record of 14 held by Jose Altafini and Lionel Messi.
The only other footballer to win the award was Brazil striker Ronaldo in 2002.
During the televised event at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow last night, Lewis Hamilton took the top prize after being voted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2014.
The 29-year-old Mercedes driver won his second Formula 1 world title this season and joined an exclusive club by becoming the fourth Briton to win the drivers’ championship at least twice.
Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy was runner-up, with athlete Jo Pavey third.
The other winners were:
- Young Sports Personality of the Year: Claudia Fragapane from Bristol. The 17-year-old gymnast became the first British woman in 84 years to win four gold medals at one Commonwealth Games.
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Six-time Olympic gold medal-winner Sir Chris Hoy was honoured in his home country.
- Helen Rollason Award: The Invictus Games competitors were presented with the trophy by Prince Harry.
- Sport’s Unsung Hero: Leicestershire’s Jill Stidever won the award after spending nearly 60 years teaching thousands of children with special needs to swim.
