Ronaldo: 'Messi will win the Ballon d'Or this year'

The Real Madrid superstar admitted that it was unlikely he could defend his Ballon d'Or title given Messi's spectacular comeback.

Two years ago, Cristiano Ronaldo outperformed Messi and both won the Ballon d'Or. This year, however, things are completely different. While Messi won the treble in the 2014-2015 season, Ronaldo failed to win any team titles with Real Madrid.

Messi and Ronaldo have shared numerous awards over the past seven years. Photo: Reuters

"The Ballon d'Or is a title that depends on votes, and Messi has won in club competitions. He has won La Liga and the Champions League," Ronaldo admitted on ITV's Jonathan Ross show on November 12th. "As for me, personally, I probably had the best season of my career and was the top scorer in Europe."

Ronaldo also affirmed that he has no animosity towards Messi, with whom he has shared the last seven Ballon d'Or awards. The two even have a "good relationship" both on and off the pitch.

"We haven't been friends for a long time, but we respect each other," Ronaldo said.

The player, who already possesses three Ballon d'Or awards, also affirmed his desire to win more titles in the future. A prerequisite for this is winning more major championships.

"I'm still young and I can win more Ballon d'Or awards," said the superstar, who is about to turn 31. "I want to play for another six or seven years and still win many collective titles. This is essential because without collective titles, there will be no individual titles either."

According to VNE