WAR, RIVALRY

...As Ronaldo, Messi, Neuer battle for battle for Ballon d'Or.

By James Ojo

Credits: bbc.co.uk

Again, the rivalry in football continues between the two most
influential players in the world: Ronaldo and Messi, having being
shortlisted alongside Bayern Munich and German international
Goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, as the final three nominees for the FIFA
Ballon d'Or award of which the winner will be announced in January.

Ronaldo and Messi have won the prestigious award a total of seven
times, with Messi winning it four times on a spin while Portugal and
Real Madrid ace strike , Cristiano Ronaldo having bagged the award two
times, appears the favourite for this year's award after a
scintillating display this year for Real Madrid and Portugal.

However, Manuel Neuer could take the world stage by becoming the first
goal keeper to win the award after a prolific season at both his club
and country - winning the domestic double and the World cup.

Having battled with an early injury towards the start of the 2014-2015
season, four-times Ballon d'Or winner, Lionel Messi, has also regained
form, scoring many hat-tricks and also reaching the World Cup finals
in Brazil.

Many football pundits had however predicted that as ever, the duo will
go head-to-head for the prize and it is a particularly close contest
this year.

According to Goal's Brendon Netto "The duo are neck and neck in the
race for the Ballon d'Or and it promises to be a close finish".

However, former Real Madrid ace defender, Roberto Carlos has tipped
Ronaldo to win the award noting that "Ronaldo is more decisive than
Messi".

According to him, "Cristiano Ronaldo remains the best in the world and
Messi is doing what others have failed to".

He added that, "He (Messi) is breaking records, but Cristiano Ronaldo
is more decisive than him".

Indeed, it promises to be another make or mar showdown come January as
Ronaldo, Messi and Neuer battle for the most prestigious award in
football.