Two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo says Lionel Messi is “more complete” than Cristiano Ronaldo, and has tipped the Barcelona star to win his fifth Ballon d’Or in January.
The former Brazil, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid legend has been named the world’s best player three times in his career, according to Soccernet.
Messi and his Real rival have shared the prize over the past seven years. Messi holds a slight edge with four wins to Cristiano Ronaldo’s three, and the ex-Brazil international Ronaldo says Messi is his pick to win another.
“I choose Messi,” Ronaldo told Clarin on Monday.
“I see Messi more complete. He does things in a most spectacular way.”
Brazil and Barcelona captain Neymar is the third finalist for the award, which will be announced on January 11 in Zurich.
The vote for the award will be made by the captains and head coaches of each men’s national team as well as by international media representatives selected by French publication France Football.
However, Ronaldo’s former manager Fabio Capello had some words for his Brazilian charge at Real Madrid, saying the talented striker was a bad influence on the team.
Speaking at the Globe Soccer Awards, Capello said, “Ronaldo, the phenomenon, was the greatest player I have ever coached.
“He showed up (for pre-season) in Madrid and was 96 kg, so I asked him to get to 88-90 kg.
“There was nothing I could do. He was a great player, but a negative influence for the group.”
Meanwhile, Barcelona coach Luis Enrique on Tuesday refused to rule out the possibility of strengthening his side in the January transfer window, with the club’s ban on signing new players set to expire, AFP reports.
Barca were barred from registering new players for two consecutive transfer windows in 2015 after breaking FIFA rules on the signing of foreign players under the age of 16.
However, from January 4 Barca will finally be able to hand debuts to off-season recruits Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal, with further transfer activity potentially on the cards
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