Ballon d' or belong to Rinaldo or no one else-Fabio

Former Italy captain, Fabio Cannavaro has backed Portugal forward, Cristiano Ronaldo to claim the lucrative Ballon d’Or after helping his club Real Madrid to Champions League glory and Portugal to Euro 2016 victory.

Cannavaro said there is no doubt the Portugal captain deserves to win the individual gong.

The 31-year-old, who has two Ballon d’Or (which has now separated from the FIFA World Player of the Year award) to his name, scored 51 goals in all competitions for Madrid last season, and also netted three times as his country lifted the European championship trophy in France.

Cannavaro told Marca, “Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to win the Ballon d’Or, without a doubt.

“Even if he hasn’t scored these last few games, we shouldn’t forget all he’s done this year.

“Carlo Ancelotti used to say that with Cristiano [Ronaldo], it is like starting a match with a 1-0 edge.”

Ronaldo has managed five goals in all competitions, two in La Liga and as many in the UEFA Champions League.