Real Madrid talisman Cristiano Ronaldo believes that he is a deserved recipient of the FIFA Ballon d'Or every year that he is nominated.
The Portuguese is touted to win the award for the first time since 2008 based on his 69 goals for club and country in the calendar year, with Franck Ribery and four-time winner Lionel Messi also in the reckoning.
The 28-year-old, who has finished runner up to the Argentine on three occasions, believes that he is "always" a deserved recipient of the game's coveted individual prize.
He told A Bola: "I don't know if I deserve Ballon d'Or this year. I was on the podium for 6 years, this will be my 7th or 8th in FIFPro team.
"The numbers speak for themselves. What I have done, in a way, is very important for an individual award.
"Like last year and the year before, I always think I deserve the Ballon d'Or. I'd like to win it every year."
The winner of the gong is scheduled to be announced at a ceremony in Zurich early in January.
Shane Callaghan
