The Ballon d’Or award is set to be announced on Monday and as usual it looks like it will be a battle between Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi for the prestigious individual award.
Also read: When and Where: Everything you need to know about FIFA Men's BEST Player and Ballon d'Or
While Lionel Messi has received support and backing from a number of football stars, Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the favourite to win the award and has his own set of illustrious supporters as well. Let us take a look at 10 famous footballing personalities backing the Portuguese star for his 4th Ballon d’Or award:
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Zinedine Zidane
The most obvious member on this list is Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane. While it was obvious as to whom Zidane would be backing for the Ballon d’Or award, he still came out and said it in a recent interview.
“He clearly deserves the Ballon d’Or,” claimed Zidane and also said, “Not just at an individual level, but above all on a collective level. He knows everything he is achieving is thanks to his hard work and the work of those around him.”
While Ronaldo is sitting on top of the La Liga scoring charts now, he has not been at his best having scored only twice in the Champions League, but his manager still believes that Ronaldo is the most deserving recipient this year.
Casemiro
Real Madrid star Casemiro also put his weight behind his club team-mate saying that he will win the Ballon d’Or once again this year. While Casemiro acknowledged the wonderful season his countryman Neymar had, he still chose to back Ronaldo.
“I've known [Neymar] since we were young,” Casemiro told radio show El Transistor.
“He is a great player. What Cristiano Ronaldo has done in the last 10 years should be remembered for life. Neymar has been there for three or four years. Ronaldo for 10 years. It is all still ahead of Neymar.
“Cristiano will win the Ballon d'Or again this year. With the year he has had, with the Champions League and the Euros, it is certain.”
Sir Alex Ferguson
Cristiano Ronaldo considers Sir Alex Ferguson a father figure and the legendary Manchester United manager had some very kind words calling the Portuguese star ‘unbeatable’. In an interview last month, Sir Alex was effusive in his praise saying:
"His achievements are unbeatable, he has had a marvellous year, winning the Champions League with Real Madrid and captaining Portugal to Euro 2016,
"Even though he missed the final with injury, he was on the sideline supporting his teammates because he had such desire to lift the trophy. It was marvellous.
"(Ronaldo) emerging as one of the best players in the world was not a surprise for me. Having him since he was 17 years old allowed me to follow his progress, and to understand what made him into such a star," Ferguson said.
Roberto Carlos
Lionel Messi, Neymar, Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann might have had wonderful seasons, but there is no doubt in Roberto Carlos’ mind that this year’s Ballon d’Or award is in the pocket of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Speaking when Ronaldo was just making a comeback from knee injury, the Real Madrid ambassador told Mundo Deportivo:
“[Ronaldo] has it at home already. He has taken time to get back to being himself after the knee injury [suffered at Euro 2016]. But from here on he will be the Cristiano we all know.”
His views were also echoed by former Portugal and NorthEast United star Simao Sabrosa.
“Cristiano has had a good season, but the Ballon d'Or is also decided in the last months. But for all that Cristiano has done, he deserves it," he went on to add.
Luis Figo
Luis Figo joined former legends and pundits in showering praise on fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo.With just a few days left for the winner to be announced, the former Barcelona and Real Madrid man, who himself was the winner of the award in 2000 has now tipped Ronaldo to take home the trophy.
Not only did the Portuguese legend back Ronaldo for the top prize, he also somewhat surprisingly claimed that Ronaldo’s best was yet to come. Speaking to the BBC, Figo was quoted as saying:
“The best is yet to come from Cristiano Ronaldo, the match against Atletico Madrid was proof of that. Cristiano is a competitive animal. He has won it all and remains ambitious. There is little doubt Cristiano should win the Ballon d'Or this year. He won the Champions League and the Euros, playing a key role in both tournaments."
Winning the Euro was a key moment in Portugal’s football history as it marked their first major international trophy in football.
Ronaldo
Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo Nazario also had his say on this year’s winner. ‘El Phenomeno’ as he is fondly known as knows what he is speaking about as he has played for both Real Madrid and Barcelona and is one of the few players to win the Ballon d’Or award more than once.
Speaking to Claro Sports, the Brazilian said:
"This year, if I have to choose, I'd pick Cristiano Ronaldo over Lionel Messi for the Ballon d'Or because of what he's won,"
The Brazilian was speaking after news came out that his namesake had renewed his contract at Real Madrid until 2021. He also hoped that the Portuguese star would retire at Madrid.
"It'd be best if Cristiano Ronaldo retired at Real Madrid and then worked at the club,” he added
Ronaldo’s latest contract ill see the former Manchester United star play till 36, and it will be interesting to see what Ronaldo’s decision will be after the contract ends in 2021.
Raul
Former Madrid number 7 and Los Blancos legend Raul had his say on the Ballon d’Or race. While he backed Messi and Girezmann to make the podium, he said that winning the Champions League and Euro Championships would tip the scales in favour of Ronaldo.
Speaking to Cadena Ser, Raul said:
"I think it will be Cristiano. It is between Cristiano and Messi, and Griezmann could be on the podium. Cristiano, Messi and Griezmann would be a good podium.”
“The Champions League and the Euros have a lot of weight, and I believe this is Cristiano's year. It depends on the moment in time. Cristiano and Messi have their level, then it depends on whether you like one or the other," Raul added.
Ronaldo has definitely been a worthy successor to Raul’s legendary number 7 jersey.
Paul Pogba
Manchester United star Paul Pogba had backed Ronaldo to win the Ballon d’Or way back in July. Just after the Euro final, Pogba said Ronaldo deserved the individual accolade ahead of Messi and his countryman and close friend Antoine Griezmann.
"You have [Lionel] Messi, you have Ronaldo. Honestly, I like them both. [Antoine] Griezmann has had an amazing year," he told ESPN Deportes.
"For me, it's Cristiano Ronaldo [who should win], because he won the Champions League and Euro 2016."
Antoine Griezmann and Lionel Messi are considered to be Ronaldo’s main rivals while the performances of Luis Suarez also cannot be ignored.
Antoine Griezmann
Probably the biggest and most valuable backing is the one from fellow contender, Atletico Madrid and France’s star man Antoine Griezmann. Ronaldo beat Griezmann narrowly to both the Champions League and Euro 2016.
While Griezmann jokingly earlier said that he 'hates' Ronaldo, he also admitted that the Ballon d'Or award belonged to Ronaldo.
PSG correspondent, Loic Tanzi, reported on Twitter what Griezmann actually said. In a tweet that translates to, “It's now finished for the Ballon D'Or. Ronaldo won both of the biggest competitions of this season.”
While there is no doubt that Griezmann himself had a stunning season, Ronaldo with his two major triumphs woth club and country slightly edges out the Atletico Madrid man.
Xavi
The most surprising name on this list has to be former Barcelona and Spain legend Xavi Hernandez. Xavi has been a vocal supporter of Messi and has miffed Roanldo onplenty of occasions, but even he had to admit that the numbers seemed to make Ronaldo favourite for the award.
Earlier, Xavi had angered Ronaldo when he had said:
“Ronaldo is extraordinary but compared to Messi, for me and for everyone who likes football, there can be no comparisons.
“Messi will be number one until he wants [to stop]. He's superior to everyone and is the best in the world unless you are Real Madrid."
The comments prompted Ronaldo to take a dig at the World Cup winner.
"I'm the most searched player on the internet. Anyone who wants free publicity or media attention talks about me,” the Portuguese forward added.
"I couldn't care less about what Xavi says about me, he plays in Qatar or I don't even know where. He's won every collective trophy, including a World Cup and the European Championship, but he's never won a Ballon d’Or.”
Despite the harsh comments by Ronaldo, Xavi in a recent interview at Aspire4Sports event in Amsterdam said:
"Cristiano has the numbers to win this year's Ballon d'Or, having won the Champions League and the Euros,
"But I also think that it'll be very competitive, because Messi will be there, of course."
With many reports claiming that Ronaldo has already won the Ballon d’Or award, it will indeed be a shock if the Portuguese superstar is not named as the winner on Monday.
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