Fifa has extended the Ballon d'Or voting deadline, improving Cristiano Ronaldo's chances of winning after his superb performance for Portugal in World Cup qualifying.
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Fifa says the contest is now open until November 29 because too many voters failed to meet last Friday's original deadline.
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Ronaldo, the 2008 award winner, scored all three goals in Portugal's 3-2 victory in Sweden on Tuesday to advance to the World Cup.
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Lionel Messi has won for the past four years.
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The world's best player in 2013 is chosen by national team coaches and captains, plus a journalist from each of Fifa's 209 member countries.
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Fifa's original voting window of October 28- November 15 ended hours after the first legs of the European playoffs.