Juventus midfielder Blaise Matuidi believes team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo has done more
than enough to win the Ballon d’Or this year.
Portugal international Ronaldo and Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi have both won the annual award five times and the duo are in contention to land the spoils for the sixth time this year.
Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric is also being tipped to win after his impressive performances for both Los Blancos and Croatia, having been an integral part of the team that finished runners-up at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
PSG sensation Kylian Mbappe is another name on the shortlist and his World Cup winning exploits with France in the summer, along with his superb display for Les Parisiens, could swing the voting in his favour.
However, Matuidi has thrown his full support behind new team-mate Ronaldo following the Portuguese’s arrival in Turin in the previous transfer window.
The former Manchester United and Madrid forward has scored nine goals from 13 Serie A appearances since making the switch from Spain and is already becoming a legend with the Old Lady.
Speaking about who should win the 2018 Ballon d’Or, Matuidi told Sky Sport Italia: “Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to win it. He always wants to win and that makes the difference.”
Ronaldo, who has won the Ballon d’Or the past two years, is expected to start for Juventus in Saturday’s league trip to Fiorentina and the visitors are 1.62 favourites to come away with all three points, whilst a draw is priced at 3.80 and the hosts are 6.00 outsiders.
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