Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane believes that Cristiano Ronaldo‘s hat- trick in the Madrid derby on Saturday night secured his fourth Ballon d’Or.
Ronaldo, who has won the Ballon d’Or on three occasions, has had one of the best years of his career having won the Champions League for a third time overall and second time with Real Madrid and then winning the European Championships with Portugal.
The Portuguese striker is thought to be contending with Lionel Messi, who holds the record for most wins with five, and to a lesser extent Luis Suarez, who finished top scorer in La Liga last season with 40 goals, for the award.
However, his achievements towards the end of last season and his hat-trick in the 3-0 win at the weekend make Zidane certain that he will win the Ballon d’Or once again.
“I’ve never had any doubts that Cristiano is the best,” Zidane said, reports Sport.
“Tonight ends that debate, the Ballon d’Or will be for him.
“I had no doubt, and it is not the three goals he scored that will make me change my mind. He demonstrated it all last season, he demonstrates it every time. We expect a lot from him, but he is above everyone else.”
The 31-year-old’s hat-trick at the Vicente Calderon on Saturday night took him up to eight goals in nine appearances in La Liga, which takes him level with his great rival, Messi.
Real Madrid are currently four points clear at the top of La Liga ahead of Barcelona and Sevilla in second and third.
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