The Ballon d’Or is given out every year to the person who performed the best the season before. It’s all about performance, and nowhere on the award does it say “nicest” “most humble” or even “guy you wouldn’t mind having a drink with.” That’s why Cristano Ronaldo’s proclamation that he deserves to win the Golden Ball this year doesn’t surprise us in the least. The man who played a virtual tug of war all summer with Manchester United and Real Madrid, showing the loyalty only after cash was made, says he’s the one to win it this year after coming in second to Cesc Fabregas last year. It’s the numbers, dummy! is his argument to beat out members of the short list for the award released yesterday by FIFA that includes Fabregas, Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.

“Honestly, I feel calm,” he said. “Two or three others deserve the Ballon d’Or. But if you evaluate what each one did over the course of the whole season I believe I did more than everyone else.

“What else do I have to do to win for the Ballon d’Or and Fifa award?”

We love CR7’s “Who’s leg do I have to hump to get an award around here?” attitude towards the governing bodies. If he keeps on going that route, he’s going to be the Susan Lucci of soccer awards and Messi, Torres and even Kun Aguero getting trophies before Ronaldo scores one later in his career. We’re think this is Ronaldo’s year, but if the voters aren’t down with his cockiness… man, Casillas has been awesome, hasn’t he? Who would you give it to?

I deserve Ballon d’Or, says Ronaldo [Yahoo]
Ronaldo, Kaka on Ballon d’Or list [FIFA.com]
Image [Daily Mail]