Ronaldo Humble But Hopeful Of Winning FIFA Award

Cristiano Ronaldo has stated he is happy and proud at being nominated for the FIFA World Player of the Year award.

Speaking at a press conferences alongside fellow nominees Kaka, Lionel Messi, Fernando Torres and Xavi, Ronaldo said that to win the award - having already picked up the more historical Ballon d'Or - would be a dream come true, while even underlining his desire to be back for more next year and beyond.

"To be here already is something great, but to win would be a dream come true," he said.

Fielding questions about a fans' poll conducted by FIFA that revealed Messi was the popular choice to win the award, Ronaldo responded, "I know what I did in 2008. I have no right to vote. I am in the same position as my colleagues. I'm happy and proud. As for what has been done by my team and what we have won over the last year, that was indeed a great achievement.

"We cannot please everybody all the time. You have people voting for me, people voting for Kaka - it's a matter of respecting their views.

"The decision is finally taken by specialists who knows more about football. If one gets selected, he deserves it."

Another Double

The 23-year-old then spoke on his club, Man United, who have come off the back of an incredible win against title rivals Chelsea yesterday, in which the Portuguese played an active part.

He believes they may even repeat last year's incredible double. "We are of course in a good position right now to win in the Champions League and the Premier League," he said. "We respect all the other teams, but I believe we can win this year."

While they now have their fate in their own hands in the league, with a number of games in hand that can give them top spot, it's the Champions League everyone is looking toward. In February, the reigning champions face perennial underachievers in Europe, Inter, now coached by Jose Mourinho.

Ibra The Great

Ronaldo's countryman was something of a scourge to United during his time in charge of Chelsea, and the winger is all too wary of the potential threat of the Nerazzurri come the first leg of their round of 16 tie in late February. "It's going to be difficult," he admitted. "We know it's always difficult when you play Champions League matches. We will have to try to win this cup once again.

"Inter are a magnificent team. We know that [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic is one of the great players of Inter. We will have to be very careful; they have so many good players."

Portuguese Pride

After the Nike-wearing star's head-to-head, shirt-pulling clash with compatriot Ricardo Carvalho in the encounter against Chelsea yesterday, questions were raised as to whether there was a feud between the two, but Ronaldo put their spat down to the heat of the moment.

"I have no problems playing with anyone," he said defiantly. "Ricardo Carvalho is my team-mate in the national team. We are hot blooded, there was a possible penalty - maybe I didnt like [that it was not given] - but let's not overexaggerate this kind of situation.

"I do come from a small country, but that in itself doesn't mean much. As you all know, it is a dream for me to get this award, because I want to bring the team and the country forward. It is a matter of showing our pride as a nation. Should I win tonight, I would like to dedicate this award to my family - as they are the most important thing to me."

He also hailed his extended family - those at Manchester United - and particularly manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "It's true that the manager always has an important role to play," he said, adding that he also owes a great deal to former Portugal manager Luiz Felipe Scolar, who was in charge of the Chelsea side crushed by Ronaldo's Red Devils yesterday. "It was a great season for me and my club. The coach was important, as I learned so much from him. A good club will never make it anywhere without a good coach. I think it is a privilege to have such a great club manager."

English Victory

With both Ronaldo and Fernando Torres shortlisted for this year's award - which has not been won by an Englishmen or even a player based in England for the near two decades it has existed - is something of which football's home nation can be proud, according to Ronaldo.

"There may be no English player here representing England, but us two [Ronaldo and Torres] represent two teams from England, so I believe this is also very important for the country," he insisted. "For this reason, we are very proud that we can be here. I think it is a huge responsibility, because if one of us wins, this is also a victory for the English fans.

However, the Funchal native refused to declare that the league in which he is currently playing is the world's best. "The English Premier League is very strong, but let's not forget that the leagues are very strong in Spain and Italy as well," he said.

Perfect

Ronaldo made the headlines for his invincibility off the pitch as opposed to on it earlier in the week. On the first time of driving his brand new Ferrari, the winger was involved in a devastating crash in a tunnel and miraculously emerged completely unscathed.

"I feel perfect," he beamed. "I feel great, better than before the accident." But the showboating ended there. He insisted that previous press that had declared him as saying he was "the first, second and third best player in the world" were fabricated. "I read that in the papers, [but] I never said anything along those lines," he assured. "That would be a lack of respect towards my colleagues. I never said anything of that sort."

He also reiterated that he has not signed a pre-contract with Real Madrid in the most succinct manner manageable. "It is not true," were his exact words, before addressing his admiration for their great rivals and the form club team in world football, Barcelona. "We all know Barcelona are 12 points ahead of their rivals. I am very happy for them. They are strong; they are good candidates to win the Primera Division and the Champions League."

The FIFA World Player of the Year will be announced this evening at approximately 23:00 CET. Stay logged on to Goal.com for our exclusive, LIVE coverage of the event, beginning at 20:00 CET.

-- Sulmaan Ahmad, Goal.com