Maybe you can report an accessibility bug asking for the Ctrl not to be hardcoded, so that you can choose whatever shortcut or unused key you want for it.
Another option might be to ask the Compiz developers to create a less spectacular alternative for their current "find the pointer" effects.
As an alternative, you could change the mouse pointer to something like the "redglass" pointer theme (which as a bonus also allows you to set the size of the pointer). You can do this from the Appearance dialog, click the Customize button, then the Pointer tab. You can try out other themes too.
This is actually a bug, however, there is a known solution.
First, edit your /etc/X11/Xresources/x11-common file:
sudo nano /etc/X11/Xresources/x11-common
Now, add this to or edit the file to include the following:
Xcursor.size: 22
Xcursor.theme: DMZ-Black
Known sizes are 8, 16, 22, 24, 32
Press CTRL + o and then press ENTER to save the file. Press CTRL + x to exit nano.
Log out and then log back in or restart your xsession to apply the changes.
Personally, I use Adwaita instead of DMZ-Black. Adwaita is a quite similar black cursor but has a different spinning icon for when the system is busy.
You can install it:
sudo apt-get install adwaita-icon-theme-full
Then, set the file like so:
Xcursor.size: 22
Xcursor.theme: Adwaita
source: bugs.launchpad.net
See this related answer for how to change the cursor size on certain applications.
Best Answer
You should open MATE Control Center, navigate to Appearance (or run
mate-appearance-properties) then select active theme and click Customize button, go to Pointer tab and then adjust Size slider:The
dconfcommand is the following:You can reset the value with: