Juventus star, Cristiano Ronaldo has named himself as the player that deserves to win this year’s Ballon d’Or award ahead of other contenders.
He also named the likes of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann and Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane or Paris Saints-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe as players that he feels should make the three-man final shortlist for the biggest individual prize.
Ronaldo is looking for his sixth Ballon d’Or crown, while fellow five-time winner, Lionel Messi is looking to do the same.
The pair had won incredible five awards each in that time frame, with Ronaldo equalling Messi’s tally last year.
“I said many times, winning a sixth Ballon d’Or is not an obsession,” Ronaldo told France Football magazine.
“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.
“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.”
When asked who would be his closest challengers, the 33-year-old said: Salah, Griezmann and Varane or Mbappe.
“The same as usual, even if I don’t know if Messi will be on the podium this time,” Ronaldo added.
“So, let’s say Salah, Modric, (Antoine) Griezmann, (Raphael) Varane, (Kylian) 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.”
The 2018 Ballon d’ Or award ceremony will take place on December 3, 2018 in Paris.
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