Cristiano Ronaldo puts Portugal World Cup target over Ballon d'Or success

Cristiano Ronaldo: Putting collective gains over personal achievements

Cristiano Ronaldo has stated that he would like to win the world player of the year prize, but that he places more importance on helping Portugal win their first international trophy.

Ronaldo, who claimed the Ballon d'Or award in 2008, is second favourite to pick up the award behind three-time winner Lionel Messi. Barcelona and Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta completes the finalists for the award, which will be decided on 7 January in Zurich.

The Real Madrid star has amassed 100 appearances for the Portuguese national team, but only has a European Championship runners-up medal from 2004 to show for it when Portugal lost out to surprise winners Greece. The Portuguese have never won a major international trophy.

Ronaldo told the Portuguese Football Federation website: "Careers are made by trophies that are won collectively, not individually. The most important thing for me is to win something for the national team."

Meanwhile, Ronaldo's former manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, has said that there is "nothing between" Messi and Ronaldo.

Ferguson said: "They are both the best players in the world. I think what we are seeing at the moment is that Messi is an exceptional player from this decade, along with Cristiano.

"I don't think the rivalry against each other bothers them. They have their own personal pride in terms of wanting to be the best and I certainly know that about Cristiano because he played at United for six years."

Ferguson's comments come ahead of Wednesday's Champions League draw which could see Manchester United paired with Ronaldo's Madrid side in the last 16 round of the competition.

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