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Ronaldo named FIFA men’s best player
London, Oct 24 (IANS) Real Madrid star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday was named the FIFA men’s player of the year during a star-studded night at the Best FIFA Football Awards here.
The Real Madrid icon was chosen ahead of Brazilian Neymar and Argentine Lionel Messi in recognition for his achievements over the past year.
The Real Madrid forward was also named in FIFPro team of the year alongside club-mates Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.
In the FIFPro team of the year, Juventus’ Gianluigi Buffon was selected as the goalkeeper, while Paris Saint Germain’s Dani Alves and AC Milan’s Leonardo Bonucci were picked in defence, along with Madrid pair Sergio Ramos and Marcelo.
Madrid’s Luka Modric and Toni Kroos were included in midfield, together with Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta.
Buffon also won the best goalkeeper of the year award ahead of fellow nominees Keylor Navas of Real Madrid and Manuel Neuer of Bayern Munich.
“I am very happy, for me it is a great honour to receive this award at my age,” Buffon said.
“I think the last year has been a fantastic season for Juventus and for me personally. It wasn’t enough to win in Europe and for this year I hope that we can play better and with the national team and Juventus,” the 39-year-old added.
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud won the FIFA Puskas Award for goal of the year.
On accepting his award, Giroud said: “First of all I have to say it’s an honour for me.
“I’m delighted to receive this trophy today in front of legends of football. Now l’d just like to thank the people who voted for me. I would like to congratulate the 10 nominees who scored amazing goals too.”
—IANS
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Sunil Gavaskar gives his opinion of GT allrounder Rahul Tewatia
The left-handed batsman from Haryana is garnering praise from all quarters for the way he’s finishing games regularly in the most exciting IPL season.
Gavaskar reckons Tewatia’s whirlwind knock in Sharjah (in IPL 2020) where he smashed West Indies pacer Sheldon Cottrell for five sixes in an over, gave him the confidence that he belongs to the big stage.
Speaking on Cricket Live on Star Sports, Gavaskar said, “That assault on Sheldon Cottrell in Sharjah gave him the belief to do the impossible and the confidence that he belongs here. We saw the impossible (he did with the bat) the other day as well. There’s no twitching or touching the pads (which shows a batter’s nervousness) when he bats in the death overs. He just waits for the ball to be delivered and plays his shots. He’s got all the shots in the book, but most importantly his temperament to stay cool in a crisis is brilliant.”
Gavaskar has also nicknamed the 28-year-old cricketer the ‘ice-man’ and lauded Tewatia’s ability to remain unruffled during the tense moments.