Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo added to his endless list of incredible achievements by winning the Ballon d'Or - the award attributed to the world's best football player - for the second consecutive year and the third time in his career.

The Real Madrid man beat Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer into second and third place respectively in the ceremony held in Zurich tonight. 

Even by his own remarkable standards 2014 was a special year for Ronaldo, who himself admitted it was probably his best ever.

One thing André Villas-Boas certainly learned from his former mentor José Mourinho was the art of giving a good interview. 

In a fascinating chat to Portuguese TV channel TVI in association with website Maisfutebol on Tuesday the former Porto, Chelsea and Tottenham coach candidly gave his opinions on a range of topics including his past, present and future career. 

PortuGOAL brings you a translation of the best bits.

Touted as a potential Seleção striker from an early age, 26-year-old Orlando Sá is currently enjoying the most successful spell of his career, at Legia Warsaw, in Poland.

Sá’s goalscoring form has not gone unnoticed by national team coach Fernando Santos, who included the former Braga and Porto marksman in his provisional long-list for the recent Portugal matches against Armenia and Argentina, although he did not make the final squad.

In an interview given to Portuguese website Maisfutebol last week the powerful forward said: “Fernando Santos has been watching me this season. I’m going to continue working hard and hope he gives me a chance. It’s his decision. I believe I can help the team.”

Former Rio Ave coach reawakens hope at the Mestalla

While it may have been an annus horribilis for some bearing his name, 2014 has thus far been very good to Nuno Espírito Santo. 

Valencia’s coach was something of a surprise choice when he was appointed this summer - but is winning over doubters at a rate of knots.