Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi are the front-runners to win this year’s Golden Ball, awarded by France Football magazine to Europe’s top player.
Ronaldo finished runner-up to AC Milan midfielder Kaka last year, while Messi was third. Kaka was again among the 30 nominees named on Tuesday, but does not believe he will win.
“I am realistic. This one won’t be for me. It’s a shame, but it’s logical,” Kaka said. “AC Milan did not have a good season.”
Kaka is tipping United’s winger to take the top prize.
“My favourite is Cristiano Ronaldo,” Kaka said. “He won two major titles with Manchester, and he scored a lot of goals.”
The 23-year-old Portugal winger scored 42 goals in all competitions to help United win the Premier League title and the Champions League.
Messi, 21, was also in sparkling form for Barca, scoring several breathtaking individual goals, and he also helped Argentina defeat Nigeria 1-0 to win Olympic gold in Beijing in August.
“He is the kind of player I really like,” Kaka said. “Like Cristiano Ronaldo, he dribbles, he scores. Messi often does it all on his own.”
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is also a nominee after helping Spain win the European Championship in June, grabbing the lone goal in the final against Germany. Torres also scored 24 league goals in his debut season at Anfield.
Lyon striker Karim Benzema, one of only two French nominees along with Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery, told France Football that Torres would get his vote. (telegraph)
Ronaldo finished runner-up to AC Milan midfielder Kaka last year, while Messi was third. Kaka was again among the 30 nominees named on Tuesday, but does not believe he will win.
“I am realistic. This one won’t be for me. It’s a shame, but it’s logical,” Kaka said. “AC Milan did not have a good season.”
Kaka is tipping United’s winger to take the top prize.
“My favourite is Cristiano Ronaldo,” Kaka said. “He won two major titles with Manchester, and he scored a lot of goals.”
The 23-year-old Portugal winger scored 42 goals in all competitions to help United win the Premier League title and the Champions League.
Messi, 21, was also in sparkling form for Barca, scoring several breathtaking individual goals, and he also helped Argentina defeat Nigeria 1-0 to win Olympic gold in Beijing in August.
“He is the kind of player I really like,” Kaka said. “Like Cristiano Ronaldo, he dribbles, he scores. Messi often does it all on his own.”
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is also a nominee after helping Spain win the European Championship in June, grabbing the lone goal in the final against Germany. Torres also scored 24 league goals in his debut season at Anfield.
Lyon striker Karim Benzema, one of only two French nominees along with Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery, told France Football that Torres would get his vote. (telegraph)
