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Sports

Ronaldo's hat trick boosts his Ballon d'Or chances over Messi after voting extended

Associated Press
Published | Updated
  • Sweden Portugal Wcup Soccer
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    Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring the opening goal during the World Cup qualifying playoff second leg soccer match between Sweden and Portugal in Stockholm, Sweden, Tuesday, Nov.19, 2013. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) (The Associated Press)

  • 63ea578d-Sweden Portugal Wcup Soccer
    Image 2 of 2

    Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring his side's 3rd goal during the World Cup qualifying playoff second leg soccer match between Sweden and Portugal in Stockholm, Sweden, Tuesday, Nov.19, 2013. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) (The Associated Press)

MADRID – Cristiano Ronaldo put his talent on display with a hat trick in World Cup qualifying, and the reward may be the Ballon d'Or after a voting deadline extension on Wednesday improved his chances of beating out Lionel Messi for the honor.

Ronaldo produced a spectacular individual performance on Tuesday, scoring all three goals and guiding Portugal into the next year's World Cup in Brazil with a 3-2 victory in Sweden.

The Real Madrid forward has scored 66 goals in 2013, but the last three may be the boost he needs to upstage Messi after FIFA unexpectedly extended the voting period for the Ballon d'Or to Nov. 29.

Ronaldo has scored 13 goals in six games since FIFA President Sepp Blatter said he preferred Messi, an Argentine who plays for Barcelona.