Cristiano Ronaldo must be used to giving an appreciative nod and almost resentful smile following a number of years when he has been so close to being named as the Fifa Ballon D'Or winner - the award bestowed to the best footballer in the world - but he is favourite to collect the trophy this time around.

The Real Madrid man has finished runner-up three times in the past four years since winning both the Ballon D'Or and Fifa World Player of the Year in 2008, before the two trophies became one.

In any other generation, Ronaldo would have arguably been head and shoulders above every other player, but one man has continually pipped the Portugal captain to the biggest individual honour, with Lionel Messi annually crowned as the world's best in the past four years.

But the 2013 award, which will be presented to the winner at a ceremony in Zurich tonight, is expected to be much closer run with both Ronaldo and Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery presenting a strong challenge to Barcelona's Messi.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo's Real Madrid closed to within three points of La Liga leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid when a Pepe header secured a laboured 1-0 win at Espanyol.

Barca and Atletico drew 0-0 in their top-of-the-table clash and Real took advantage to end the first half of the season on 47 points from 19 matches, with the leaders on 50 and Barca top on goal difference.