'Ronaldo deserves the Ballon D'Or over Messi'

For Tim Cahill, Cristiano Ronaldo deserves the Ballon D'Or and not Lionel Messi. Why? For having dared to leave Madrid in search of new challenges.

"Cristiano Ronaldo deserves the Ballon D'Or over Messi. The reason why I say Ronaldo, I know people won't agree, is because of what he's done in Juventus", stated Cahill.

"He left Real Madrid, went there and had such a massive impact on another league. I've never seen another player do it at Man United, Madrid for so many years.

"And I know he didn't win the Champions League but he has such an impact in any club. If you can take players and put them somewhere at his age... 

"I know people won't agree, I just appreciate his professionalism."

Cahill did recognise that Lionel Messi is of course a contender, but his chances had been tarnished after Barcelona's Champions League elimination at the hands of Liverpool.

"Messi? He had an incredible season. He would deserve it too but with Liverpool beating Barcelona, I think this reduced his chances."