Ronaldo confident of winning Ballon d'Or

Madrid - Cristiano Ronaldo, never short on self-
confidence, is fairly sure of retaining the FIFA Ballon
d'Or award on Monday, after a memorable 2014 in which
he scored 63 goals for Real Madrid and Portugal in all
competitions.
His rivals for the coveted award are old adversary Lionel
Messi of Barcelona and Argentina - the winner in 2010,
2011 and 2012 - and Germany and Bayern Munich
goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Ronaldo, who is 30 in February, has not said much about
the award recently. However, he did raise eyebrows a
few months ago by saying: "In my head, I think I am the
best player in the world."
Statements over the years - in 2011 he infamously said
"some people jeer me because I am rich, handsome and
a great player" - have led to Ronaldo being considered
arrogant in some quarters.
Also read : Ronaldo, Messi and Neuer shortlisted for
Ballon D'or
The fact that he is the first player ever to have a museum
dedicated to himself, on his home island of Madeira
complete with a massive statue,-has confirmed this
negative impression for many people.
Ronaldo's goals record in these triumphs was nothing
short of astonishing. He banged in 17 goals in the
Champions League, then scored both goals in Real's 2-0
defeat of Sevilla for the UEFA Super Cup in August.
He was top scorer in La Liga last season with 31 goals,
and is currently way ahead atop the scorers' chart with
26, a tally which puts him on course to beat Messi's
record of 50 goals in 2012.
However, Ronaldo's critics point to the fact that he
again failed to shine on the most important stage of all:
the World Cup finals.
He scored only one goal at the tournament, the same as
in 2010, and failed to guide Portugal beyond the first
round, while Messi's Argentina reached the final and
Neuer's Germany won the trophy.
Nonetheless, 2014 was an excellent year for him, and
this is why he is considered favourite to win the Ballon
d'Or in Zurich on Monday.
Courtesy: m.news24.com
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