The Year of Cristiano Ronaldo: 2016 belonged to the Real Madrid star

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring his side’s third goal against Celta Vigo on March 5, 2016. Francisco Seco / AP

Cristiano Ronaldo scores his side’s second goal past Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo on April 2, 2016. Manu Fernandez / AP

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his hat-trick with the ball under his shirt during the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Wolfsburg at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on April 12, 2016. Pierre-Philippe Marcou / AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo scores during the penalty shoot-out in the Uefa Champions League Final against Atletico Madrid at San Siro Stadium in Milan, on May 28, 2016. Olivier Morin / AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after missing a penalty against Austria in the Euro 2016 group stage in Paris on June 18, 2016. Miguel Medina / AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo scores past Hungary goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly during the Euro 2016 group stage in Lyon, on June 22, 2016. Attila Kisbenedek / AFP

Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey moves to block a shot by Cristiano Ronaldo during the Euro 2016 semi-finals in Lyon on July 6, 2016. Miguel Medina / AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo hold his thigh as he rolls on the ground after being hurt during Portugal's Euro 2016 final with France in Paris on July 10, 2016. Franck Fife / AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo poses with Real Madrid club president Florentino Perez and his mother, Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro, during the official presentation of Ronaldo’s contract renewal in Madrid on November 7, 2016. Gerard Julien / AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with teammates after scoring against Latvia in World Cup 2018 qualifying on November 13, 2016. Francisco Leong / AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates a goal against Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on November 19, 2016. Gerarde Julien / AFP

Franck Seguin / AFP

• More: Ronaldo 'proud and happy' to win fourth Ballon d'Or

Another incredible year by Cristiano Ronaldo — including titles in the Uefa Champions League title and Euro 2016 — was capped Monday by being named the Ballon d’Or winner for the fourth time.

Let’s look back at the most memorable moments of a memorable year for Ronaldo.

Click or swipe through for more.

March 5

Ronaldo scored four goals against Celta Vigo to give him giving 252 in Primera Liga, second all-time behind Barcelona contemporary and rival Lionel Messi.

April 2

With Real Madrid down a man and tied at 1 with El Clasico rivals Barcelona, Ronaldo struck true in the 85th minute to give Real a 2-1 victory.

April 12

Down 2-0 following their quarter-final first leg with Wolfsburg, Ronaldo stepped up to keep his club alive with a hat-trick in the second leg. Real won 3-0 to eliminate the German club and advance to the semi-finals.

May 28

Real Madrid defeated their crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid 1-1 (5-3 in penalties) to win their 11th Uefa Champions League. Ronaldo hit the match-clinching penalty.

June 18

Captaining Portugal in Euro 2016, Ronaldo became the country’s most capped player in this group stage match against Austria, though he is mostly remembered in this match for missing a crucial penalty. The match ended in a scoreless draw.

June 22

Against Hungary in the Euro 2016 group stage, Ronaldo scored twice and notched an assist, but Portugal only managed a 3-3 draw. The goals allowed him to overtake Nuno Gomes for most goals for Euro goals for Portugal, and was a record 17th appearance in the tournament.

July 6

Despite a disappointing group stage with three draws, Portugal advanced. In the semi-finals against upstart Wales and his Real Madrid counterpart Gareth Bale, Ronaldo scored 50 minutes in, and Portugal advanced to the final with a 2-0 victory. He became the first player to reach three Euro semi-finals and tied Michael Platini for the Euro goals record with nine.

July 10

The final against host France wasn’t an especially memorable one, though Portugal prevailed without its captain. Ronaldo memorably had to leave 25 minutes in with an injury, but wound up holding the trophy after his club defeated France 1-0 in extra time on a goal from substitute Eder. It was the first major international title for the country.

November 6

Ronaldo signed a new contract to keep him with Real Madrid through 2021.

November 13

In a dominating 4-1 win over Latvia during 2018 World Cup qualifying, Ronaldo led Portugal with two goals, giving him six in three matches for his national side.

November 19

In league play, Ronaldo scored a hat-trick against rivals Atletico Madrid, giving him a record 18 career goals in the Madrid derby.

December 12

Ballon d’Or winner for the fourth time.

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