With this year’s Ballon d’Or award ceremony fast approaching, which will be held on January 12, debate on who will be handed the coveted prize is heating up.
Although Barcelona midfielder Xavi believes Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t even deserve to be on the three-man shortlist for the award, Chelsea defender Filipe Luis and La Liga president Javier Tebas have all backed the Portuguese attacker to clinch the Ballon d’Or for a second consecutive year.
Now, Los Blancos team-mate Sergio Ramos is the latest player to tip the former Manchester United attacker to beat fellow finalists Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer, insisting Ronaldo “deserves” to be named recipient of the award next year in Zurich.
"Cristiano deserves the Ballon d'Or," Ramos stated.
CR7 deserves to win the Ballon d'Or, insists Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos
"He's a born winner and does not like losing. He wants to win everything. As a friend, I know that I'd be happy for him.
"Of course, we would all like to be recognised as the best. I know that this has been my best year and I can boast winning four titles and being up there.
"These awards come from collective work. Football is a team sport and this one is making history.
"I think this team has no limit. It's more than a group of players. I am proud to have these team-mates. The individual triumphs come from the hand of team work."
Ramos, who helped Les Merengues lift the FIFA Club World Cup trophy last Saturday, also hailed the “amazing job” club manager Carlo Ancelotti has done at Santiago Bernabeu since taking over a year back, guiding the club to four major trophies, including "La Decima", Real Madrid's 10th Champions League title.
"Ancelotti is unique, he's done an amazing job in the dressing room. Madrid has recovered their joy. He understands players.
"We are delighted. He's a good coach and a good person."
