Real Madrid Legend Backs Cristiano Ronaldo To Beat Griezmann And Messi To Ballon D'or

FRANCISCO LEONG / Getty Images

Former Real Madrid and Brazil left-back Roberto Carlos has tipped current Los Blancos star Cristiano Ronaldo to pip Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann to this year’s Ballon d’Or, 90min reports.

The Portuguese forward has won the award on three occasions, his last coming in 2014, while Messi took home the accolade last year, and is a very strong contender this time around. However, Carlos believes that it’s Ronaldo’s turn again, and even joked that the player already has it at home.

“I think Cristiano Ronaldo already has the Ballon d’Or at home but he just has not told anyone yet,” Roberto Carlos said at a news conference (H/T Goal.com).

“He has taken time to get back to being himself after the knee injury, but from now on he will show us all the Cristiano we all know, just like he played for Portugal.

“I wish him all the luck in the world.”

Ronaldo finished last season in fine form, scoring the penalty that won Madrid their 11th Champions League. He went on to win Euro 16 with Portugal, but an injury suffered in the final against France put him on the back foot, and he has not been at his best yet this term.