Ronaldo, Kessler’s victory pull 143,000 conversation peak on Twitter

Cristiano Ronaldo

The recently organized FIFA Ballon D’Or, in which Cristiano @CristianoRonaldo emerged a winner, was the most tweeted about moment on Twitter with conversation peaking at 143,000 per minute. He was the most-tweeted about player with Twitter reaching its peak as the Real Madrid star was handed his trophy and crowned world footballer of the year at the 2014 Ballon d’Or ceremony in Zurich.

Twitter conversation went up high in what was termed an unforgettable moment, because this was the third time the Portuguese football star, Ronaldo won the football game.The 29-year-old Ronaldo had won this game in 2008 and 2013, and now 2014.Many however took to Twitter to congratulate him. He beat Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)and Manuel Neuer @Manuel_Neuer (Bayern München) who were equally powerful in the game, and most talked about on Twitter after him, to that honor too.

Having received his trophy, Ronaldo also took to Twitter to express himself. His words: “It's an unforgettable moment in my life to win the Ballon d’Or for the third time! I feel extremely happy and proud to receive this award and I want to keep challenging myself everyday. I have to thank my family, all the people who support me and also to my colleagues of Real Madrid and Portuguese National team that make me a better player every day.”

James Rodriguez @jamesdrodriguez Pushkas’ Goal of the Year award and Nadine Kessler’s Women’s Player of Year award, were the next most popular Ballon d’Or stories that got more tweets after Ronaldo’s.

James Rodriguez @jamesdrodriguez was awarded ‘Best Goal for the Year’ for his strike for Colombia during the World Cup.

Nadine Kessler, a German, was awarded FIFA World Women player of the year 2014. With disbelief, when her name was announced as the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year, the 26-year-old midfielder from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg was overwhelmed. She succeeded her Germany teammate Nadine Angerer @NAngerer as the winner of the game’s most prestigious individual award. Her words: "It’s a reward for hard work, good performances and a good development track. I know it’s a trophy for individuals, but I’d never have won it without my team-mates."

According to Twitter “If Ballon d’Or success was determined by conversation on Twitter in 2014 (instead of on-field statistics), there were more than 54 million Tweets related to Lionel Messi in 2014, making him the most talked-about contender on the shortlist. Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t far behind with over 40 million mentions, whilst Manuel Neuer @Manuel_Neuer was trailing on 6.3 million Tweets.

James Rodriguez @jamesdrodriguez may have won goal of the year, but the goal that created the largest spike in conversation on Twitter out of the contenders came from Robin Van Persie @Persie_Official.  Football fans grabbed for their devices to Tweet their amazement during the World Cup when Van Persie’s scored a looping header for Holland against Spain.

Throughout 2014 fans used Twitter to discuss the triumphs and shortcomings of the highest profile coaches in world football. In a year in which he led Real Madrid @realmadrid to their record 10th Champions League title, Carlo Ancelotti @MrAncelotti was the most-mentioned coach on Twitter.

Diego Simeone @Simeone came in second place, after making his club, Atletico Madrid @Atleti Spanish champions. And despite winning 2014 coach of the year, Joachim Loew was the least discussed of the three.

Football fans around the world followed tonight’s action on Twitter, and were treated to some exclusive shots from backstage at the ceremony, courtesy of a Twitter Mirror”.