Cristiano Ronaldo On The Official Short List For FIFA’s Ballon D’Or

Cristiano Ronaldo is on the short list for FIFA’s Ballon d’Or title, which isn’t a surprise at all, along with Lionel Messi and Franck Ribéry.

As expected the much talked about award is really heating up and Cristiano Ronaldo, once more finds himself barely ahead of nemesis Messi, who has won the award four straight times, leaving the Portuguese striker fuming with frustration.

Cristiano Ronaldo has had to settle for second place in the past four years and as this time around Messi has been out with a thigh injury for the last few weeks, many believe this is Ronaldo’s chance to win the elusive title.

But not so fast. Recent weeks have seen the odds increase in favor of the Argentinian who plays for the Spanish team Barcelona, while Cristiano Ronaldo is slipping.

Experts are already crying foul, at the possibility that Portugal’s captain, who is credited with almost single handedly qualifying his team for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, will not win the title yet again.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are considered to be the best players in the world, no question. Franck Ribéry is in contention, but not many assign him much of a chance to win against the La Liga stars.

With the announcement coming from FIFA, we at least have confirmation that the three expected names are in fact leading the list of 23 contenders.

FIFA will officially announce the winner on January 13, from Zurich. In peers and coaches eyes, Cristiano Ronaldo should take the title.

The striker has scored 34 goals for Real Madrid coupled with his extraordinary performance in the World Cup qualifiers.

Crisitano Ronaldo has been at odds with FIFA, after President Sepp Blatter seemed to take sides in the ever controversial topic of who the best player in the world is and said the Portuguese star seems to spend more time at the hairdresser.

That didn’t sit well with Ronaldo, who threatened to boycott the ceremony, win or lose, and had harsh words for Blatter.

“This video shows clearly the respect and consideration that FIFA has for me, for my club and my country. Much is explained now. I wish Mr. Blatter health and a long life, with the certainty that he will continue to witness, as he deserves, the successes of his favorite teams and players.”

Cristiano Ronaldo missed three games with a hamstring injury, but will be back in action for Real Madrid this coming Tuesday for their UEFA Champions League match against Coppenhagen, according to Real Madrid’s coach.