Ballon d’Or: Why Ronaldo should win over Messi and Neuer

Real Madrid’s poster boy Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to beat great rival Lionel Messi to the Ballon d’Or after a stellar season in which he led his club to the hallowed Décima.

According to The Telegraph's senior football writer Paul Hayward, the Portuguese skipper Ronaldo should walk away with the coveted award when the Hollywood entourages sweep into Zurich for the handing out of prizes to already prize-laden mega stars.

“Ronaldo should retain the Ballon d’Or for world footballer of the year at the expense not only of Messi but Manuel Neuer, Germany’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper who has powerful supporters,” according to the report.

“The traditional two-pony race between Ronaldo and Messi has been broken by Neuer’s ‘sweeper-keeping’ for Bayern Munich and the world champions. But it would be a felony to deprive Ronaldo of his trophy after a stellar season in which he propelled Real Madrid to the hallowed Decima – the 10th European title, with victory over the cross-town rivals Atlético.”