Barcelona legend Xavi has backed Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to win the next Ballon d'Or. The Spanish midfielder, who recently had gone back and forth with Ronaldo over the Lionel Messi vs. Ronaldo debate, says it's the numbers that push Ronaldo over the top.
"Cristiano has the numbers to win this year's Ballon d'Or, having won the Champions League and Euro," Xavi said.
"But I also think that it will be very competitive because Messi will be there, of course."
Messi won the award in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015, while Rondlo won in 2013 and 2014.
Ronaldo had 51 goals for Real Madrid last season, while Messi had 41 goals for Barcelona, winning La Liga and the Copa del Rey. While Ronaldo won Euro 2016 with Portugal, Messi lost the Copa America final with Argentina. That Euro win and Champions League glory will probably be enough for Ronaldo to take the prize.
In August, Ronaldo won the Best Player in Europe award, and Messi wasn't even in the top three.
The award will be announced in January.
