Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to win the Ballon d'Or - Fabio Cannavaro

Updated 28/10/2016 at 10:25 GMT

Cristiano Ronaldo must be the man that wins the Ballon d'Or this year, according to former Italy captain and World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro.

Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates

Image credit: AFP

Ronaldo is the favourite to land the award this year after he inspired Real Madrid to their triumph in the Champions League and helped lead Portugal to Euro 2016 glory over the summer.

While Lionel Messi took Barcelona to the La Liga title, Ronaldo remains the leader with the bookies for this year's award.

The 31-year-old has already won the accolade twice and Cannavaro has no doubt that he should take the award home again this year.

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'Ronaldo deserves to win'

"Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to win the Ballon d'Or, without a doubt," Cannavaro told Marca.

"Even if he hasn't scored these last few games, we shouldn't forget all he's done this year.

"Carlo Ancelotti used to say that with Cristiano [Ronaldo], it is like starting a match with a 1-0 edge."

CURRENT ODDS

Cristiano Ronaldo - 1/6

Lionel Messi - 6/1

Antoine Griezmann - 8/1

Luis Suarez - 8/1

Gareth Bale - 33/1

Neymar - 33/1

Paul Pogba - 33/1

FC Barcelona and Argentina's forward Lionel Messi and Real Madrid and Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo give a press conference ahead of the 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or award ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich on January 11, 2016

Image credit: AFP

OUR VIEW

It's the time of year when every big-name former professional is asked for their views on the subject of which superstar should win the Ballon d'Or, but Cannavaro - a former winner - certainly has a view which carries a lot of weight.

Ronaldo scored 51 goals in all competitions for Real Madrid last season, a staggering achievement, while he also chipped in with three crucial goals as Portugal marched to an unlikely Euro 2016 triumph.

While the start of this season has been relatively underwhelming for Ronaldo by his usual lofty standards - five goals in all competitions - it is clear to see why he is the favourite for the award this year.

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