Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo admits he has 'bad image'

Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (GETTY IMAGES)

Cristiano Ronaldo concedes he has a “bad image” but remains hopeful of being voted as this year's Ballon d'Or winner.

The Real Madrid and Portugal star is on the 23-man shortlist for the prestigious award and is widely thought to be in a two-man battle with Barcelona's Lionel Messi, who has won each of the last three years.

Ronaldo finished second behind the Argentina striker on two of those occasions as well as winning the trophy himself in 2008.

The victor is decided by a poll of international captains, international coaches and a select panel of journalists and although Ronaldo is confident he has a strong case this year, he concedes that an inferior public perception may hurt his claim.

Asked on CNN World Sport whether that had been an issue in the past, he said: "I don't want to cry about that, but sometimes I think yes.

"Why? It's question that I never give the 100% right answer, because sometimes I really don't know. Maybe I agree, I have bad image on the pitch... because I'm too serious, but if you really know me, if you are my friend, if I leave you inside my house, if you share the day with me, you will know I hate to lose.

"People who call me arrogant, I would like to sit with them and to have a chat with them to see which way to they think I'm arrogant because I think they need to sit with me to know who is the real Cristiano."

He added: "It (the Ballon d'Or) means a lot for me.

"I would put everything in one bag and try to see what they (the contenders) have done by the year. If you speak about me and Leo - who won more things? Who played better? Who won the most important trophies?

"So I cannot say I deserve to win, but I think I'm in a good position."

PA