Cristiano Ronaldo congratulated by old Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson after Fifa award
Portuguese star's mentor was on hand to shake his hand after he was named best player in the world
CRISTIANO RONALDO was congratulated by old Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson after winning the FIFA men's player of the year award.
The Portuguese star's former boss at Manchester United, where they spent six years together, was in Zurich to congratulate his former man with a respectful handshake.
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It was a bit more refined than the bear hug he gave Real Madrid forward Ronaldo after he won Euro 2016 in Paris in July.
The pair have remained close since the player sealed a world-record £80million move at the time to the Bernabeu in 2009.
While at Old Trafford, Ronaldo helped United to three Premier League titles, an FA Cup, two League Cups and the 2008 Champions League under Ferguson, having signed for just £12million from Sporting Lisbon as a teenager.
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The duo were snapped together behind the scenes at the snazzy bash after Ronaldo beat Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann to the night's most prestigious gong.
Ronaldo's agent, Jorge Mendes, also joined him and Ferguson for a picture as the trio celebrated the 31-year-old's victory.
In his autobiography, Ferguson said of Ronaldo: "Cristiano was the most gifted player I managed. He surpassed all the other great ones I coached at United - and I had many.
"The only ones who could be placed near him would be a couple of the home-produced players, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, because they contributed so prodigiously to Manchester United for two decades."
Upon winning last night, Ronaldo said: "It's incredible, it's not the first time but it's the first of this. First and foremost I must thank my team-mates of Real Madrid and the coach.
"Thank you for everything you have done for me. I've also got to thank my family, my brothers, my mum, my whole staff 100 per cent for everything they've given me.
"2016 was the best year of my career. I had a lot of doubts but at the end I think the trophies speak for themselves. I achieved the best I could in the competitions and after I won what I did."