"I could have won the Ballon d'Or if I played for a bigger club" - Faustino Asprilla

Retired Colombian striker Faustino Asprilla believes he could have won the Ballon d’Or had he got a chance to play for a bigger club.

In an interview with the Gazzetta dello Sport, Tino said, “Nobody knew me before I came to Parma. I was fast and dribbled past players to head straight for the goal. I was creative and unpredictable, which I still am. I also played my entire career with a knee that had not been operated on properly.

“I had great qualities and if I had worn the jersey of Juventus, Milan or Inter, perhaps I’d have won the Ballon d’Or. With all due respect, if Pavel Nedved won it…”

The former Newcastle United player expressed his disappointment at the condition of football in Italy and around the world.

“Back then strikers were less protected by referees and it was tougher to play. If someone fouls Leo Messi now, everyone starts crying from Argentina to New Zealand. When they beat up me, Gabriel Batistuta or Marco Van Basten nobody complained.

“It’s much easier to be a forward nowadays. You aren’t confronted by players like Franco Baresi or Pietro Vierchowod. I still have nightmares about them…”

Tino will be a commentator for Radio Caracol at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He’s quite confident of Colombia’s chances and says they’re a fantastic team.