MANILA, Philippines – Portugal and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo is named the world’s best footballer for the second time. Ronaldo secured the Ballon d’Or with 1,365 points, ahead of rival Lionel Messi with 1,205 points. Ronaldo was also voted the Player of the Year in 2008 before Messi began a run of four successive titles. Messi was hampered by injury problems at Barcelona late in the year. Mornings @ ANC, January 14, 2014.