with joel Crosskill

THE NOMINEES for what is perhaps the most esteemed individual accolade in world football today were announced by France Football this week, as the chase for the Ballon d'Or narrowed to 50.

The winner is actually decided by the votes of 50 seasoned journalists spanning Europe, who assess and consider which player has impressed and impacted most during the previous year - basically, it's the footballing equivalent of the Nobel Prize.

Last year, World Cup conquering captain Fabio Cannavaro's centurion leadership and imposing defence won him the precious orb. But with about a third of the 50-man list plying their trade in the Barclay's Premier League (BPL), this time around the Golden Ball could be on its way to the Barclay's!

With stellar performances from all 15 players selected from the BPL's ranks including Drogba, Berbatov and Cech - it was a particular mohawked midfielder from Man-chester that went super nova!

Entering the league, a brash, unpolished 18-year-old talent, Cristiano Ronaldo's displays for club and country have earned him a vaunted position among fans of the game.

For those rivals of United who once looked at the flashy 22-year-old as the BPL equivalent of Kobe Bryant, even they would have to admit he was the difference in Man United's title tilt.

A trick for every occasion, Cristiano treated viewers to record-breaking exploits from midfield: 17 goals in the league, three in the Cup and three in Europe. But it was his ability to create for others that set him apart - 15 assists domestically and five in Europe - he simply made everyone around him better. Ronaldo did things with the ball that the world has only seen Ronaldo do, all with a level of controlled aggression and precision that testified to his coming of age under Fergie last term. But with the award decided by seasoned journalists, I just wonder if the epic grandeur of Kaka's 11-goal Champions' League heroics for Milan, or the déjà vu nostalgia of Messi's Maradona-like moves may prove more compelling.

But then again the on-ball alchemy of Cristiano Ronaldo really could weave gold once more.

Contact Joel at jcrosskill@sportsmax.tv

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo. - Reuters