Ronaldo has history on his side

Madrid superstar favored to repeat as Ballon d'Or winner

Cristiano Ronaldo is favored over Manuel Neuer and Lionel Messi to win the Ballon d'Or for the second straight year at Monday's gala ceremony in Zurich.

Messi has finished in the top two in each of the last seven years but, despite another big year in 2014, he appears to be lagging behind his two rivals this time.