Ronaldo took advantage for the Golden Ball

* Kaká's successor will be elected by 96 journalists from the magazine 'France Football'

* Of the 30 candidates, seven are Spaniards, with Torres and Casillas at the head

The official date pointing to Tuesday, but this afternoon will be known with certainty. The Golden Ball, the most prestigious trophy and controversial, hurry hours to end at the hands of Cristiano Ronaldo, big favorite. In England say that CR7 has already been the traditional pictures with the trophy. Leo Messi, Iker Casillas and Fernando Torres looked with a resigned calm.

European champion and England, European Golden Boot (42 so) and top scorer of the Premier (31). Merit more than enough for Ronaldo, who spared his mediocre Euro and its lower return after the summer. And the boy from Madeira, 23, did not bite your tongue. "I've been the best," summarized by recalling a year that made him deserving "of the first, second and third place."

Messi admitted it until four days ago in Lisbon. This award recognizes the player, but particularly appreciates the trophies of his team. "He won the Champions League and the Premiership, so it deserves the award." 'The Flea' has accepted that she must wait another year, especially since the trophy room of the Nou Camp was left without glasses for the second consecutive season.

What happens is that his fall is noisy, as leader of the best imaginable and Barca with 14 goals in 16 games (five of them in Champions). The Blaugrana add a little every 27 minutes when Leo is involved and must wait 71 when it is not. In Argentina, by the way, have been waiting half a century for a successor Di Stefano, because the conflicting Maradona never won this trophy.
The emotion Calculated

Now, to 'France Football' yes you are interested in the revival of Messi. Suspense need to encourage their sales. And he wants to keep the secret until jealously make a public statement in the early hours of Tuesday. Do not have an easy because the leaks were always on the agenda.

Despite these efforts, there is no room for other surprises. Well you will regret Spain, who managed to put seven players (Casillas, Ramos, Senna, Xavi, Cesc, Torres and Villa) among the 30 candidates. Success in the European Championship titles and garters highlighted in this group to Iker and El Nino.

In 52 editions, only the award in 1963 ended in the mitts of a goalkeeper (Lev Yashin). This hurts Casillas, who also lives one of his worst moments in Madrid, where he has goals that were previously granted a piece of cake for him. Torres, with two injuries in the thigh in the last month, has no continuity. His debut year at Anfield was formidable and will always remember his goal in the final to Germany. Brilliant and insufficient.

Because the decision seems made. They did 96 journalists' France Football ', correspondent of the magazine around the world. Decant were five candidates that awarded five, four, three, two and one point. Ronaldo for the majority, expelled in the derby before the City. Maybe had a hurry to travel to Paris.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates a goal at West Ham last October. (Photo: REUTERS)