Ramos's Ballon d'Or dreams

Few players have been more decisive thanSergio Ramosin 2014. While it's true that Spain's debacle at the World Cup did not reflect too kindly on him, at club level the Real Madrid stalwart has stepped up in the key moments, when trophies are won and lost.

Fabio Cannavaro was the last defender to break the stranglehold that forwards and midfielders traditionally have on the Ballon d'Or, the accolade recognising the best player in the world.

Ramos has been named on the 23-man shortlist for the prize on more than one occasion and, while he thinks Cristiano Ronaldo was the rightful winner last time out - and indeed, that this year's award should go to the same person - the Andalusian also feels that he is now in a position to contend for the biggest individual honour on the planet. Where before this would have been a mere pipe dream, now the centre-back sees it as a very real possibility - and one that has been bandied about freely in the international press.

The 28-year-old believes he has what it takes and he certainly has a case. This is a man who was instrumental in the Champions League and the Club World Cup and who has scored 52 goals for 'Los Blancos' - more than Andrés Iniesta has managed at Barça. He is clearly one of the top defenders in Real Madrid and Spanish football history.

Another reason why Ramos is allowing himself to dream is that he has found stability off the pitch, which has helped him on it. The birth of his son, Sergio Jr, in May was a source of great joy, overshadowing even all the silverware.