PARIS (AP) -Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo and FC Barcelona forward Lionel Messi are the favorites to win this year's Golden Ball, awarded by France Football magazine to Europe's top player.
Ronaldo finished second to AC Milan midfielder Kaka last year, while Messi was third.
Kaka was again among the 30 nominees released Tuesday, but does not believe he will win this time.
''I am realistic. This one won't be for me. It's a shame, but it's logical,'' Kaka said. ''AC Milan did not have a good season.''
Kaka is touting United's winger to take the top prize.
''My favorite is Cristiano Ronaldo,'' Kaka said. ''He won two major titles with Manchester, and he scored a lot of goals.''
The 23-year-old Portugal winger scored 42 goals in all competitions to help United win the Premier League title and the Champions League.
The 21-year-old Messi was also in top form for Barca, scoring several breathtaking goals for the Catalan club, and also helping Argentina defeat Nigeria 1-0 to win the Olympic gold medal in Beijing in August.
''He is the kind of player I really like,'' Kaka said. ''Like Cristiano Ronaldo, he dribbles, he scores. Messi often does it all on his own.''
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is also among the nominees after helping Spain win the European Championship in June, scoring the lone goal in the final against Germany. Torres also scored 24 league goals in his debut season with the Reds.
Lyon striker Karim Benzema, one of only two French nominees along with Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery, told France Football that Torres would get his vote.
''He scores goal after goal,'' Benzema said.
source: The Associated Press
Ronaldo and Messi favorites for Golden Ball Award
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