FIFA extends voting deadline for Ballon d’Or

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

ZURICH, Switzerland—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.

FIFA says the contest is now open until November 29 because too many voters failed to meet last Friday’s original deadline.

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.

Lionel Messi has won for the past four years.

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.

FIFA’s original voting window of October 28 to November 15 ended hours after the first legs of the European playoffs.