CRISTIANO RONALDO has refused to discuss this year’s Ballon d’Or – as he faces competition from an old foe and new challenger for the title.
Ronaldo has continued to maintain his high standards as one of best players on the planet since making the move to Italy with Juventus.
And he was back at it on the international stage last week, inspiring Portugal to victory in the Uefa Nations League.
That has boosted his chances of being winning the coveted Ballon d’Or at the end of the year for the sixth time in his brilliant career.
But Ronaldo, 34, knows there is strong competition to be named the best player in the world from his old rival Lionel Messi.
And there is also a growing case for Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk to be recognised for his commanding displays in defence which ended in Champions League success.
Ronaldo is usually open to discussing the prospect of himself being crowned the best around, but not this time.
He was stopped by reporters after Portugal’s win over Holland which secured the Nations League title and insisted: “The goal for the match was to win and to play well.”
Pressed on whether his hat-trick against Switzerland in the semi-final helped his chances, Ronaldo added: “No, I will not speak about the Ballon d’Or.”
Last year, Luka Modric broke the ten year domination of the award of Ronaldo and Messi by scooping the top prize.
But the usual suspects have again been lighting up the game for Barca and Juve over the past year while Modric’s form has dipped sharply.
Van Dijk has emerged as a genuine candidate, with many claiming his displays for club and country have seen him become the best defender in world football.
