Former Italian national team defender Fabio Cannavaro has no doubt that Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to win the Golden Ball award this year.
The striker became the favorite after helping Real Madrid triumph in the UEFA Champions League and winning the European Championship with the Portuguese national team.
Last season, representing the club, the 31-year-old footballer scored 51 goals, and added three more accurate strikes in the European Championship in France.
"Cristiano Ronaldo undoubtedly deserves to win the Ballon d'Or," Cannavaro told Marca.
"Even if he didn't stand out in a few recent matches, we shouldn't forget what he did throughout the year."
"Carlo Ancelotti used to say that having Cristiano is like starting a match leading 1-0."
So far this season, Ronaldo has started with five goals.
