Juventus and Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo has likened winning the Ballon d'Or to the Nobel Prize. The 34-year-old forward is in contention to clinch the 2019 edition of the award after being named in a 30-man shortlist.
Earlier this month, the former Real Madrid superstar was shortlisted alongside 29 other players by France Football magazine for the coveted Ballon d'Or award. He ranks alongside Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk as favorites to scoop the honor following his exploits for both club and country.
Despite missing out on winning the Champions League with Juventus earlier this year, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner clinched his first Scudetto and followed up with the inaugural UEFA Nations League trophy win with Portugal. As such, the prospect of receiving the recognition still exists despite his two biggest rivals already winning The Best FIFA Men's Player of the Year as well as the UEFA Men's Player of the Year awards.
Speaking with France Football on Tuesday, Ronaldo admitted that he was keen on grabbing his sixth Ballon d'Or, while comparing the award to the Nobel Prize. He also mentioned the Micheal Jordan and other elites in diverse fields as his source of motivation.
"I have learned from him like I have learned from all of those who have excelled," Ronaldo said on Tuesday as per ESPN.
"I am not just talking about sport either. I like to read things on the Nobel Prize -- who has invented, generated, created or developed something.
"The Nobel Prize for these guys is like the Ballon d'Or for me. I like to know why they invented something and how they did it -- it is important, and it helps me to get even better."
