Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo says he is not obsessed with winning a second Ballon d’Or in January despite his recent form which has seen him become the strong favourite to win the award.
The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) will release the final three-man shortlist for the coveted award on December nine, but have extended the date for nominations to November 29 due to a low number of responses, while those who have submitted can change their mind. The prize itself will be presented in Zurich on January 13.
The Portuguese stars’ hat-trick against Sweden in midweek was his fifth for club and country and his 31 in 21 games. During the calendar year, he has scored 66 goals in 55 games. His four goals against Sweden in the World Cup playoff ensured Portugal’s place at next year’s World Cup in Brazil.
“I don’t think a lot about the Ballon D’Or,” Ronaldo said, while also disputing speculations in Madrid and his home town that he’s considering snubbing the presentation ceremony in protest at perceived bias towards three-time winner Lionel Messi and recent comments by Sepp Blatter, who claimed that Ronaldo “spends more time at the hairdresser” when asked to compare the two players.
Blatter subsequently apologised for the comments, prompting a lukewarm acknowledgement of his contrition from Ronaldo.
“I know that it is handed out in January, but I cannot say that I will not go.”
“I prefer to not say anything because things don’t depend solely on me. I am not obsessed with the Ballon d’Or. We will see what happens,” he added.
Franck Ribéry, Bayern Munich’s French winger, is another leading contender for the award and can outdo both Messi and Ronaldo thanks to his haul of trophies with the German champions this year. A Champions League, Bundesliga title and German Cup have been added to Ribéry’s CV and tangible success often counts for much more than individual achievements and statistics.
With Messi still recuperating from his recent hamstring injury, Ronaldo will have all the room to build on his impressive statistics on a game-by-game basis and leave a mark when the votes are being cast.
The decision we make today determines our tomorrow. The action or inaction of a man will either be regretted or appreciated. Some people who SAW while others were LOOKING sought for money to purchase some plots of land at the present Lekki Penninsula when a plot of land in that arear was been sold for as low as between N500,000 and N1m; are reaping the benefits now that its now been sold for as high as N130m. Some heard of it then and ignored it or never believed such an area could develop, bringing about drastic appreciation of properties in the area. Lekki Free Trade Zone, The New International Airport, The Deep Seaport (which will be the second in Africa after that in South Africa), The Lagos Industrial site, Eleganza Industrial site, The Permanent site of PAN Africa University and many more developmental projects are springing up in Epe, Ibeju Lekki and their axis. Blue Chip Companies are now acquiring hecters of land in that area. Just for the ones
that have foresight and will take action while others are ignoring, PWAN HOMES LTD is now selling Estate Lands for as low as between N330,000 and N1.5m at Ajah, Ibeju Lekki and their environs. Promo is currently on for limited time. Some of these lands are with title such as C of O, Global C of O while some are awaiting title. Omo onile problem have been wiped off. For more information, site visitation and to pick up your own plots call Abayomi on 08179517872 or 08065415971. EVERY OTHER ASSETS DEPRECIATE, WHILE LAND APPRECIATE. INVEST WISELY TODAY TO APPRECIATE YOUR DECISION TOMORROW