پاگورا

Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken out amidst speculation as to who will be crowned as the 2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or, suggesting that it won't be the end of the world if he doesn't win.

Ronaldo is on a shortlist with Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi to win this year's coveted award, with the winner to be announced on January 7th in Zurich.

Ronaldo admitted on the Portuguese FA's website that the trophy would make him happy but that he wasn't hung up on it, "I cannot live worrying about an individual prize, that would not be right, as a career is not marked by individual awards, but by team trophies.

"When the decision is known, maybe I will be very happy, maybe sad... but that is life. If I win then perfect, but if not then life goes on. Obviously I would like to win it, I am not going to be hypocritical or lie, it is an ambition of mine, but I cannot think it is the end. Just or unjust, it will be as it is supposed to be."

Ronaldo also expressed his confidence of Portugal qualifying for Brazil 2014 and said how different it feels to line up for his country, "We know that the margin for error is lower each time, we cannot lose more points, but I believe that the team will get through this phase. In previous years we came through big challenges during qualifying.

"It is one thing to play for your club and another for your national side, they are completely different feelings. It is true that the passion to win and to compete is similar, but there is an more sentimental meaning when we do it for our country."