Real Madrid's Portuguese international striker, Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he will attend the ceremony for the prestigious Balon D'Or award to be held in Zurich on Monday.

Ronaldo's decision will increase speculation that he is in line to win the Balon D'Or, which is to be given to the player voted as the best footballer of the past year, by international coaches and players.

He is competing against FC Barcelona's Leo Messi, who has won the award on the past four occasions, and Bayern Munich striker Frank Ribery.

A major handicap for Ronaldo, who scored his 400th career goal on Monday, is that despite a brilliant year, which saw him score a hat-trick in November to qualify Portugal for the World Cup finals in Brazil, his Real Madrid side failed to win any titles in 2013 and the club's campaign has to be qualified as a failure.

Messi on the other hand led FC Barcelona to the La Liga title in Spain, although his year has been complicated by a series of muscle injuries and he has not played since early November.

If titles were the criteria for winning the Balon D'Or then Ribery would be the clear favorite given that he formed part of a Bayern Munich side which win the German League and Cup as well as the Champions League and the European Supercup, before ending 2013 with Bayern being crowned as World Club Champions, although it should be pointed out they won that trophy after voting for the Balon D'Or had closed.

While Ribery can point to the titles on his bookshelf, many consider that he won them as part of a team, whereas his individual displays were not as decisive as those of Messi or Ronaldo, who is probably favorite.

"It is a closed issue and I don't want to speak about it any more. All I am going to say is that I am going to the gala," said Ronaldo, who didn't want to speculate on whether or not he would win.

"I don't know if it is fair if I win or if Ribery or Messi wins. I try and do my job as always and help Real Madrid with goals and good football. If I win then it will be very good, but if not then life carries on and I will continue playing.

Ronaldo's presence had been in doubt after FIFA President, Sepp Blatter made some ill-advised comments about him at the Oxford Union activity towards the end of 2013.

"I have always gone to the ceremonies and that I don't see why I shouldn't go. It is normal to be present," concluded Ronaldo. Endi

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