Coveted ball at Ronaldo's feet

Cristiano Ronaldo has got the seal of approval he richly deserves. If the Ballon d’Or had gone to Lionel Messi this year, the top individual prize in football would have lost its credibility. Ronaldo was only marginally ahead of Messi in the poll. Never mind the closeness of the race; what is more important now is the result. The emotional reaction of the Portuguese after receiving the glittering trophy showed how much the award meant to him. Like first love, awards also taste sweeter the first time but in the case of Ronaldo, the second beats his maiden gong, which he won four years ago, hands down.

One of the predictable criticisms hurled at Ronaldo is he is a product of the gym. The copious tears the champion shed at the awards ceremony proved that he is not a bionic man. To put his special talent on the football field down to his physical strength is an underhand compliment. In that case, stronger players than Ronaldo must have won more Ballon d’Ors. Smaller players are always cute in football and there is no surprise to find fans gravitating towards Messi. This is not attempt to take potshots at Messi whose greatness doesn’t need reiteration. But the selection process of the Ballon d’Or should not degenerate into a popularity contest.

Franck Ribery was unlucky to miss out after a dream season in which his club Bayern Munich didn’t even have a faint acquaintance with losing. In terms of raw talent, it wouldn’t be wrong to put Zlatan Ibrahimovic above the trio that made the final shortlist. The wonder goal he scored against England in a friendly — an acrobatic blast from outside the box with his back to the target — must have united Ronaldo and Messi in jealousy. The selection of Ronaldo means consistent performance backed by the irrefutable statistic of goals is more important than winning trophies or breathtaking goals.

Carlo Ancelotti has paid glowing tributes to Ronaldo’s work ethic. “His quality and ability to score goals hasn’t surprised me, but I have been a little bit surprised by his personality and the sacrifices he makes both on and off the field," the Real Madrid coach said on Tuesday.  “Hard work” may have become a cliché in every sphere of life but even a player blessed with the talent of Ronaldo can’t bypass the surest route to success. It’s the essence of Ancelotti’s observations.

The world is full of talented people but those who maximised their potential aren’t that many.

Finally, a petition to Fifa: award the Ballon d’Or for excellence in a season. Stretching it to a year straddling two seasons is a complex, flawed method. Club football is season specific and awards should also follow suit.