Cristiano Ronaldo Names Lionel Messi, Neymar, Others as Ballon D'Or Competition

Ballon d'Or holder and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has named the players he believes will be his main contenders for the award this year, including Barcelona duo Lionel Messi and Neymar.

Per Marca (h/t Ben Carter of Yahoo Sport), Ronaldo also listed Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski and Juventus forward Gonzalo Higuain:

"Of course, it is always going to be a fight between [me and Messi]. I'm there along with Messi, Neymar, Lewandowski and Higuain.

"That kind of fighting and competition is healthy, and that is what motivates me, being better than them year after year. The best always try to compete with the best; it keeps you sharp. You know you can never lose focus because others will overtake you."

The four-time winner is the early favourite to win the award once again after leading Real to the La Liga-UEFA Champions League double. His main rival, Messi, has so far won only the Copa del Rey, which likely won't be enough to close the gap.

Higuain could have been a dangerous rival had Juventus beat Los Blancos in the Champions League final, but by losing that match, the Bianconeri player likely lost his chance to contend. 

If Ronaldo wins the Ballon d'Or yet again, he'll tie Messi with a record five awards. Per Carter, the former Manchester United man has finished on the podium every year in the last decade except 2010.