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Soccer News of Monday, 28 July 2014

Source: goal.com

Asamoah Gyan beats Van Persie, Pogba in 2014 Goal 50

Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan is “honoured” to have made it into the prestigious Goal 50 for the 2013-14 season.

The Goal 50 title - presented by the world’s biggest single-sport website - is in recognition of a magnificent campaign during which Ronaldo led his club to a long-awaited 10th Champions League crown.

Speaking to Goal on being notified of his latest feat, Gyan could not hide his delight, expressing his gratefulness to “the players in the [Ghana] national team and at Al-Ain for making this possible.”

“Without them I couldn't have achieved this laurel,” he explained.

“It is a big honour,” Gyan continued. “I’m very happy for this award. I really appreciate. I'm happy to become the first Ghanaian to be named in the respected Goal 50. I'm extremely happy and it means a lot to me that my performance is being recognised.”

Cristiano Ronaldo was adjudged the overall winner after a record-breaking season. The Portuguese forward claims the trophy from digital football brand Goal.com for the third time.

The 29-year-old, who also claimed the Copa del Rey, struck 51 goals in all competitions for club and country.

He shared the European Golden Shoe with Luis Suarez and also picked up the 2013 Fifa Ballon d'Or.

“It’s a very big honour for me to have been chosen as the best player," Ronaldo told Goal at the trophy presentation held at Real Madrid's pre-season training camp in Los Angeles.

"I’m sincerely grateful for this award. I also want to thank the fans for their support and for their passion for the game, which is what makes this sport so fascinating throughout the world.”

The Goal 50 is regarded as one of the most credible and respected awards in sport, chosen by over 600 Goal journalists, covering 35 editions around the world to a global audience of over 64 million users.

Voting takes place at the end of domestic and international seasons for the majority of countries.

Ronaldo heads this year's list in front of second-placed Arjen Robben, who starred for Netherlands at the

World Cup and helped Bayern to four trophies in 2013-14.

Last year’s winner Lionel Messi finished third after another prolific season for club and country.

The Goal 50 has a track record of identifying many of the future stars of the game. Youngsters James Rodriguez and Thibaut Courtois featured in the 2013 list, and this year both made it into the top 10.

Commenting on the results, Graham Shaw, Goal’s Editorial Director, said: “Goal 50 gives a truly global view on the players who have lit up an epic season. Congratulations to Cristiano Ronaldo who fully deserves to top this year's list after a sensational campaign."

2014 Goal 50 - Top 10

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

2. Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich)

3. Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

4. Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich)

5. Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)

6. James Rodriguez (AS Monaco)

7. Luis Suarez (Liverpool)

8. Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid)

9. Arturo Vidal (Juventus)

10. Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)

2014 Goal 50 – positions 11-50

11. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint-Germain)

12. Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla)

13. Angel di Maria (Real Madrid)

14. Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid)

15. Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund)

16. Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich)

17. Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund)

18. Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)

19. Yaya Toure (Manchester City)

20. Miralem Pjanic (AS Roma)

21. Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund)

22. Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)

23. Keylor Navas (Levante)

24. Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid)

25. Javier Mascherano (Barcelona)

26. Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)

27. Vincent Enyeama (Lille)

28. Juan Cuadrado (Fiorentina)

29. Eden Hazard (Chelsea)

30. Neymar (Barcelona)

31. Joel Campbell (Olympiakos)

32. Blaise Matuidi (Paris Saint-Germain)

33. Enzo Perez (Benfica)

34. Charles Aranguiz (Internacional)

35. Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain)

36. Daley Blind (Ajax)

37. Gervinho (AS Roma)

38. Paul Pogba (Juventus)

39. Rafael Marquez (Leon)

40. Abdelmoumene Djabou (Club Africain)

41. Robin van Persie (Manchester United)

42. David Silva (Manchester City)

43. Ciro Immobile (Torino)

44. Serge Aurier (Toulouse)

45. Yoshito Okubo (Kawasaki Frontale)

46. Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City)

47. Caner Erkin (Fenerbahce)

48. Nadir Belhadj (Al-Sadd)

49. Kim Shin-Wook (Ulsan Hyundai)

50. Tim Cahill (New York Red Bulls)