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What's the story?
Premier League stalwart Tim Cahill has backed Juventus talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo, to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or award this year despite his Champions League disappointment with the Old Lady.
In case you didn't know...
Ronaldo is no stranger to winning the Ballon d'Or as he shares the record for most wins with Barcelona captain Lionel Messi.
However, it is the Argentine maestro who has been deemed to be the overwhelming favourite to win a record sixth Ballon d'Or this year, with Ronaldo's statistics considered pale in comparison to his former La Liga rival.
Messi boasts of having scored a staggering 50 goals in all competitions with a consecutive La Liga title in the bag. His goal-scoring exploits in La Liga, where he netted 36 goals, have earned him yet another Pichichi trophy. His overall numbers mean he is well on course to win the European Golden Shoe as well.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo has 21 Serie A goals and 11 assists to his name. The Portuguese ace helped the Bianconeri to their eighth consecutive Serie A title and was named the league's player of the season in the process.
The heart of the matter
Despite the stat differences, Cahill believes Ronaldo deserves the Ballon d'Or over Messi, telling Alkass Sport,
"The reason why I say Ronaldo, I know people won't agree, is because of what he's done in Juventus."
"He left Real Madrid, went there and had such a massive impact on another league. I've never seen another player do it at Man United, Madrid for so many years."
"And I know he didn't win the Champions League but he has such an impact in any club. If you can take players and put them somewhere at his age..."
He added, "I know people won't agree, I just appreciate his professionalism."
What's next?
With a number of unfamiliar favourites to win the award, it remains to be seen who will take home football's most coveted prize at the end of the year.
