Tuesday, 13th November, 2012
Former Brazil striker Ronaldo has given his backing to Lionel Messi in the race for this year’s Ballon d’Or, a player he believes brings magic to the game.
Messi is in the running to pick up what would be his fourth consecutive accolade, but has stiff opposition from Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, while Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao and Barcelona team-mates Andres Iniesta and Xavi can also be classed as serious contenders.
But for Brazilian Ronaldo, who himself won two Ballon d’Ors, in 1997 and 2002, Messi must get the nod because of the special magic he brings to football.
"It’s still a battle between those two – Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – even though [Andres] Iniesta and Xavi will be in there too and are also incredible players", Ronaldo, a former Barcelona and Real Madrid player, told FIFA.com.
"However, because they play in midfield, the public might not feel quite as passionately about them.
"Messi would get my vote because, in addition to being decisive – scoring loads of goals and winning trophies – he’s able to bring a special and different kind of magic to football."
Ronaldo did have words of praise for Cristiano Ronaldo though, even if at the end of the day he thinks Messi produces the unexpected which simply cannot be matched.
relatedNewsStory"Cristiano Ronaldo is a very technical, very skilful and very pragmatic player, but Messi continues to produce the unexpected on a regular basis."
Messi recently increased his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or by surpassing the legendary Pele’s record for the number of goals scored in a calendar year.
Pele bagged 75 in 1959.
Messi is now on 76 and is closing on the world record set by German striker Gerd Muller, who scored 85 in 1972.
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