Cristino Ronaldo has given a four-man shortlist of whom he believes will challenge him for this year’s Ballon d’Or award.
The season past is, unquestionably, one of the highlights of the Portuguese superstar’s decorated career. Having led Los Blancos to La Undecima and his nation to its first-ever major trophy in 2016, Cristiano Ronaldo’s efforts were rewarded with a Ballon d’Or and the inaugural edition of The Best FIFA Men’s Player of The Year award.
His ascendancy, which some thought was momentary, was rehashed in the just ended season as the iconic number 7 led Real Madrid to its first league title in five years, and a historic back-to-back win of the UEFA Champions League title.
Obviously, bookmakers have him as the favorite but Ronaldo reckons he might have some competition in his quest for a career-fifth Ballon d’Or.
“Of course it is always going to be a fight between us,” he told Marty Smith of ESPN during his Nike promotional pre-season tour of China.
“I’m there along with [Lionel] Messi, Neymar, [Robert] Lewandowski and [Gonzalo] Higuain.
“That kind of fighting and competition is healthy and that is what motivates me, being better than them year after year.
“The best always try to compete with the best, it keeps you sharp. You know you can never lose focus because others will overtake you.”
Messi: "Who deserves to win Ballon D'or?"
Messi's Wife: "Cristiano Ronaldo" pic.twitter.com/Ka7DzXcJTQ
— RMadridBabe (@RMadridBabe) July 18, 2017
