It would be a shame if Ronaldo doesn't win the Ballon d'Or: Pepe

Cristiano Ronaldo and Pep during Real Madrid training session

Real Madrid defender Pepe believes that Cristiano Ronaldo should rightfully be the winner of this year’s Ballon d’Or and it would be a shame if anyone else claims the prize.

The Portugal forward has been in scintillating form this season with 23 goals from just 17 games already this season. He was instrumental in Real’s trophy laden 2013/14 campaign, especially in the Champions League where he found the net on 17 occasions, setting the record of most goals scored in a season.

Ronaldo’s main competition this season will be Germany’s World Cup winning goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and four-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi. Both enjoyed a good World Cup campaign in Brazil but Pepe has insisted that his compatriot should retain the individual accolade ahead of anyone else.

"If any other players wins, they should be ashamed given what Cristiano has been doing, beating lots of records, scoring 17 goals in the Champions League last season," the 31-year-old defender told A Bola. "These things are almost impossible”.

“In three months he has scored 23 goals. What else does he need to do?” he said.

"He is the best player in history and I repeat: it would be a scandal and a shame if they do not give him the Ballon d’Or."

The 23-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or was announced in the last week of October. The final three nominees will be decided after further exclusions and the winner will be decided on January 12, 2015.