“I was humbled by the warm reception that I received in Paris and I’d like to say thank you to everyone who made us feel so welcome.
“Firstly, I’d like to congratulate Lionel Messi on winning your historic sixth Ballon d’Or.
“As I also said last night at the ceremony, it’s important to sit back and admire greatness when it’s in front of you.
“Congratulations on another incredible year. On a personal level, it was an honour to be nominated and I am extremely proud to have come second and in the same company as two if the greatest to ever play the game in Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
source: express.co.uk