Ronaldo backs Lionel Messi to win Ballon d'Or

Brazilian legend Ronaldo believes that Barcelona’s Lionel Messi deserves the Ballon d’Or ahead of Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

The former Inter Milan and Real Madrid striker won the individual award in both 1997 and 2002, and despite Cristiano Ronaldo netting 69 goals this calendar year, his namesake has backed Messi to claim the prize for the fifth year in a row.

Ronaldo said: ‘I believe that Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the two best players in the world. I’d go for Messi due to technical considerations.’

Messi has scored 44 goals in 2013 but his progress has been blighted by injuries, culminating with the Argentine breaking down against Real Betis with a hamstring problem at the beginning of November. He is set to return to training with Barcelona in January.

Last week, Monaco forward Falcao backed Ronaldo for the award, saying: ‘In my opinion, Cristiano Ronaldo has this year demonstrated the greater continuity and consistency, and he has been superior.

'I’d have to see what the criteria is for deciding who the winner should be, but I think that it has been a great year for him.’