• Ballon d'Or

Ronaldo won't lie, he wants to win Ballon d'Or

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are front runners for the Ballon d'Or award © Getty Images

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Cristiano Ronaldo is determined to win this year's Ballon d'Or, but insists "life goes on" if he is not chosen.

Ronaldo, 27, has been shortlisted along with Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta for the FIFA award, with the winner to be announced at a gala ceremony in Zurich on January 7.

The Real Madrid man, who won the prize when at Manchester United in 2008, believes it would be hypocritical not to admit that a second victory would make him happy, but feels team trophies still remain the most important recognition for his career.

"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," Ronaldo told the Portuguese FA's website.

"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's international side Portugal currently sit joint-second in their World Cup 2014 qualifying group, level on points with Israel and five points behind group leaders Russia. And the former United attacker is confident his country will dig deep and secure their passage to the World Cup in Brazil.

"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," he said. "In previous years we came through big challenges during qualifying."

The Portugal captain, who famously did not get to take a penalty as Spain progressed in their Euro 2012 semi-final shootout, believes there is something special about representing his country on the world stage.

"It is one thing to play for your club and another for your national side, they are completely different feelings," he said. "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."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.