Football FanCast columnist Jerome Johnstone feels that no one will be more deserving of the Ballon d'Or than Fernando Torres.

Liverpool and United are renowned for their titanic battles on the pitch, but a new one is set to commence off it. Two great players - arguably the best in the world in their respective positions and now going head to head for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award; it is a tough one to call and who could foresee where the smart money will lie.

It is the toughest of calls in all honesty and they are surely the only contenders. Cristiano Ronaldo's 42 goals, coupled with a Champions and Premier League double, would potentially see him as a favourite in most neutrals eyes. Past history would suggest that Champions League success is normally the indication of the victor, but with Fernando Torres' 33goals (in his debut season) and being an integral part of Spain's Euro 2008 victory could well turn the tables on protocol.

I honestly believe and hope that Fernando Torres wins the award; if not for any other reason is that the guy is a gentleman. There is no circus around El Nino, he is extremely modest and unlike Ronaldo is not full of his own self importance. Torres is never talking to the media, continually touting a move elsewhere and just keeps his head down and plays his football. There is no theatrics with Torres, no diving in and around the box and like all great players conducts himself with genuine class on and off the pitch - that is what sets him apart and why he would be a worthy winner of the prestigious honour, which clearly means the world to the Spaniard.

Torres said: "When I have watched the Ballon d'Or presentation on television I saw the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho and Kaka.

"I told myself that trophy was for players from another galaxy - now I am among the candidates, and I cannot believe it.

"Winning the award would be like climbing to the top of Everest and touching the sky." (Liverpool Echo)

I think I would speak for most Liverpool fans when I say that no one will be more deserving of this award than Fernando Torres. This season it is clear that the player is in tending to carry on where he left off last and few would be surprised if he was to surpass last season's tally. It would certainly cap the most remarkable year for El Nino, but will he actually beat Cristiano Ronaldo to the Ballon d'Or? It will certainly prove close.

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