Valencia football club winger and former Manchester United player Luis Nani believes that although Lionel Messi is a ‘Special’ player, Cristiano Ronaldo deserves the Ballon d’Or. Nani feels that Ronaldo having won both the Champions League and the Euro 2016 trophy gives him the edge over the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Lionel Messi.
"Ronaldo won the most important trophies, the Champions League and Euro 2016, and also had an excellent league campaign," said Nani speaking to Marca. "He deserves the Ballon d'Or."
Cristiano Ronaldo is among the favourites to win the prestigious prize this year but has competition in the form of Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann and much more. The Real Madrid ace had previously won the trophy three times earlier in 2008, 2013 and 2014. Ronaldo scored 35 goals in 36 La Liga matches last season and not to forget won two major international trophies.
Ronaldo signed a new contract with Madrid on Sunday that will keep him at the Santiago Bernabeu until the age of 36 and insists that the Euro 2016 winner can still be an important player for Portugal even at the age of 40.
"He's an important player who inspires trust in all of those around him," the current Valencia player said. "At 40, he'll still be in shape and helping the national team."
Earlier in October, Nani had spoken of Barcelona’s football sensation Lionel Messi, describing him as one of a kind and that not many footballers in the world that or on the same level as the Argentine international but also insisted that Ronaldo will win the Ballon d’Or.
"Messi is a special player, and there are very few who can compare with him,” said Nani. "But I know that Cristiano will fight hard with him all year for the Ballon d'Or. "Messi is going through a great time at the moment, but things aren't decided yet and you won't know until the end of the year which is the best in the world."
The former Manchester United and Sporting Lisbon star believes that Valencia can be can give Barcelona major trouble when they face each other next time in the La Liga.
"We have good players and a united team, so that means that anything can happen," he said. "We have to be clinical. We know that we will have to make the most of the chances that come our way because we are fully aware that we won't get many."
Valencia lies in 15th position in the La Liga table after having won only one of their last five games.
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