Intro:

Cristiano Ronaldo on Thursday (28 August) won UEFA's award as the best player in Europe last season after scoring a record 17 goals in the Champions League.

Script:

Cristiano Ronaldo was voted the best player in Europe by a panel of journalists from UEFA's 54 member countries.

The Portugal and Real Madrid forward scored a record 17 goals in the Champions League last season, as well as a sensational hatrick against Sweden in World Cup qualifying.

And Ronaldo was clearly delighted with the award:

SOUNDBITE (English) Cristiano Ronaldo, UEFA's best player in Europe:

"I'm really, really happy. I have to say thank you to my team-mates because without the team, individual awards would not be possible. I have to thank all the time to my family, to my friends, all the people working with me. It is amazing, I don't have this trophy in my museum so my brother is going to put in my museum straightaway. Thank you a lot to everyone, to the journalists who voted on (for) me, I am really happy thank you." (applause follows).

Meanwhile Nadine Kessler of Germany won the women's award.