Ronaldo: I can live without Ballon d'Or

Posted Friday, December 28, 2012 by ESPN

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo insisted that he would not be discouraged if he missed out on the 2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or.

Finishing second to Barcelona's Lionel Messi for last year's award, Ronaldo finds himself pit against the Argentinean and Andres Iniesta for the accolade this time round.

In the light of Messi's record-breaking form, the Barcelona star is expected to sweep up his third consecutive award when the results are announced in January 2013.

Although Ronaldo confessed that he wished to be conferred the FIFA Ballon d'or honour, failing to would not bother him.

"Obviously I would like to win, I will not be a hypocrite and a liar, it is something that I aspire to, but I cannot think, if I fail, it is the end," Ronaldo shared with the Portuguese Football Federation website.

The former Manchester United winger revealed that he would trade any personal prize for more silverware with his team.

"I can live without an individual award, even if it would be unfair," Ronaldo stated.
"The career of a footballer is not marked by individual trophies, but by the collective."

Real Madrid welcome Real Sociedad to the Santiago Bernabeu to contest their final La Liga fixture before the winter break.