Lothar Matthaus: 'Cristiano Ronaldo's goals will win Ballon d'Or'

Former Germany and Bayern Munich star Lothar Matthaus has revealed his concerns that Cristiano Ronaldo's goalscoring record will cloud the voting when it comes to who wins the Ballon d'Or.

Ronaldo is currently on the three-man shortlist to win the award, alongside Lionel Messi and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

Matthaus, who won the award in 1990, believes that the Portuguese winger will win the Ballon d'Or, despite his views that the winner should come from a World Cup-winning team.

"My personal concern is that Ronaldo will win the award. His goal ratio is unique, he sets new records," the 53-year-old said, according to Goal.com.

"Normally the World Cup should outshine everything but, in the end, Ronaldo's goals will outshine everything. To me he is the favourite because he fascinates us every week.

"Messi is only the underdog because he was injured too often and was not in his best shape at the World Cup. FIFA's experts voted him player of the tournament but that was a gift. I think he shook his head himself when he got the trophy up there after the final."

Matthaus's compatriot Neuer recently said that he is honoured to be on the shortlist for the Ballon d'Or after enjoying successful campaigns with both Bayern Munich and the national team.