Cristiano Ronaldo is confident that he is on course for a hattrick of Ballon D’ors as the award ceremony draws closer and closer.
The former Real Madrid man has won it for the last 2 seasons and following his exploits again in the Champions League, he believes he can do it once more.
Ronaldo did concede, however, that he might not win and in the event that that’s the case, he gave a short list of 5 players whom he felt might have a shot at overthrowing him.
He said to France Football that while he was very much interested in winning another ballon D’or, he doesn’t need it to prove himself.
“I said many times, winning a sixth Ballon d’Or is not an obsession.
“And I do not ask the question in these terms. I already know, in my heart of hearts, that I am one of the best players in history.” he said
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Ronaldo believes he deserves the award and when he was asked if he believes his contribution to football over the past calender year was worth it, he said: “Of course I want to win, this sixth Ballon d’Or. It would be a lie to tell you the opposite.
“I work for that. As I work to score goals and win games without being an obsession.
“I think I deserve it.”
In terms of the players who could possibly overthrow him, he listed five. Interestingly, rival footballer Lionel Messi was not on that list.
“The same as usual, even if I don’t know if Messi will be on the podium this time.” he said
“So, let’s say, Salah, Modric, Griezmann, Varane, Mbappe – the French in general because they are world champions.
“But I will wait and see if all these players are still at the top in 10 years, like Messi and I have done, and like we continue to do.
“Still there, on the podium, since more than 10 years.”