Bookies see C. Ronaldo win

| Wed, 10/22/2008 - 04:55

Cristiano Ronaldo is a hot favourite to become European Footballer of the Year, Italian bookmakers say.

The Manchester United and Portugal striker is a 6/4 shot for Italy's main booking organisation Snai, ahead of Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi at 5/1.

Inter Milan and Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is 10/1, level with Real Madrid and Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

Liverpool and Spain striker Fernando Torres is the only other player in with a real shout, Snai reckons, at 18/1.

Last year's winner Kaka' of AC Milan and Brazil is at 75/1.

Italy's two representatives on the 30-strong shortlist, Luca Toni of Bayern Munich and Gianluigi Buffon of Juventus are lagging at 120/1 and 250/1.

The Ballon d'Or (Golden Ball) will be handed out Dec. 2 after 96 journalists from all over the world vote in a poll organized by France Football.

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