Abu Dhabi: Fresh from equalling Lionel Messi’s record of five Ballon d’Or wins in Paris on Thursday, the UAE-based fans of Cristiano Ronaldo can now see the legend in the flesh in this week’s Fifa Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi.
Uefa Champions League holders Real Madrid face the winners of Saturday’s quarter-final between UAE league champions Al Jazira and Asian Champions League victors Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan in Wednesday’s semi-final.
If successful Real will then compete to become the first side to retain the Club World Cup in next Saturday’s final at Zayed Sports City.
Copa Libertadores winners Gremio of Brazil are the favourites to emerge from the other semi-final, where they’ll meet the winners of Saturday’s other quarter-final between Concacaf champions Pachuca and African Champions League winners Wydad Casablanca in Al Ain on Tuesday.
Ronaldo became the first player to score in all six Uefa Champions League group-stage matches in Wednesday’s 3-2 win at home to Borussia Dortmund, and will now feature in Saturday’s La Liga clash at home to Sevilla before flying into Abu Dhabi.
The Portuguese beat Messi to the Ballon d’Or for a second year running despite the Argentine outscoring him by three in the calendar year with Messi scoring 52 to Ronaldo’s 49.
Most will put that down to the weight of Ronaldo’s contribution with the 32-year-old scoring hat-tricks in the quarter-final and semi-final of the Uefa Champions League against both Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid before netting two in the final against Juventus to hand Real their 12th title.
“I feel happy, it’s a great moment in my career,” said Ronaldo at the award’s ceremony held at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. “This is something I look forward to every year. Last year we had an amazing season in the Champions League and La Liga.
“I have to thank my teammates, Real Madrid and the rest of the people who helped me to be in great shape throughout the season.”
Ronaldo won his first Ballon d’Or in 2008 while at Manchester United and since then the title has only been passed between him and Messi.
“I hope to play at a high level for a few more years,” added Ronaldo of that rivalry. “Let’s have the fight continue in a good way. He will do his best for his club and his national team.
“And I will do my best for Real Madrid and my national team. So let’s see at the end of the day who is better and see who at the end of the year what collective awards we win and what the people voted.”
