Cristiano Ronaldo refuses to discuss Ballon d'Or chances

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has refused to discuss the prospect of winning the FIFA Ballon d'Or having scored his fourth hat-trick of the season in the 5-1 demolition of Real Sociedad today.

The 28-year-old hit three in the thumping at the Santiago Bernabeu but, with the game's most coveted individual prize poised to be awarded in January, Ronaldo is not forthcoming about discussing his chances of winning the award.

"I don't want to talk about the Ballon d'Or," he told reporters after the match. "I demonstrate [my ability] on the pitch. And the award doesn't depend on me."

Ronaldo has bagged a hat-trick in three other games this season for club and country, with Northern Ireland, Galatasaray and Sevilla all falling victim to the in-form marksman.

The former Manchester United forward, who has already bagged 21 goals for Los Blancos this season, faces stiff competition from Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery and Barcelona's Lionel Messi for the award.