Real defend golden child

The Real Madrid propaganda machine cranked back into action this week, when Uefa president Michel Platini had the temerity to suggest Blancos superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was not necessarily the most deserving winner of the 2014 Ballon D’Or.

Ronaldo had been widely seen as a huge favourite for a third personal award, due to his record-breaking 17 goals as Madrid won last season’s Champions League, and 20 goals and eight assists in his first 12 La Liga games early this term.

A poor showing at this year’s World Cup, when his insistence on playing through an injury ultimately backfired as Portugal crashed out in the group stages, was deemed not so important.