Manchester United veteran Rio Ferdinand has pledged to run through the streets of Manchester ‘butt-naked’ if Cristiano Ronaldo does not win the Ballon d’Or in Zurich tonight.
Real Madrid star Ronaldo is odds-on to fend off competition from Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery to win the FIFA award given to the world’s best player.
Ferdinand is so adamant his former Manchester United team-mate will win the award that he took to Twitter to share his confidence with his 5.1million followers.
He Tweeted: “If @Cristiano doesn’t win the Balon D’or tonight…..I will run down the street butt naked! Won’t be a great sight I tell ya!! Come on CR7!”
Ronaldo enjoyed a remarkable 2013 scoring 66 goals in 56 appearances for club and country, while Messi, who has won the award for the past three years in a row, was plagued by injuries for much of last year.
Ribery makes FIFA’s final three-man shortlist for the first time after being part of the Bayern Munich team that won a league, cup and Champions League treble last season.
Ribery’s side were also crowned World Club Champions in December 2013.
With January weather still on the chilly side in Manchester, Ferdinand will be hoping his pal Cristiano is now, as expected, crowned the world’s greatest player.
Image courtesy of Gordon Flood, with thanks
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