Cristiano deserves Ballon d'Or, says Brazilian Ronaldo

Brazil football great Ronaldo described Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo's goalscoring run as "unthinkable", and said the Portuguese forward is a clear favourite for the Ballon d'Or award.

Ronaldo has scored 32 goals in 26 matches in all competitions this season for Spanish giants Real Madrid and is in line to win the prestigious award that is given to the best male footballer of the previous year, reports Xinhua.

"What he is doing is incredible," the Brazilian told Canal+ Wednesday.

"His numbers were unthinkable in my time and before that. He deserves it. He has so much quality and he uses it very intelligently.

"It's incredible to watch him play. He combines so well his technical quality with his physical force."

Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won the award twice before, has been shortlisted for this year's prize alongside his long-time rival Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

The winner will be announced in Zurich Jan 12.

"I think this year is a lot clearer than last," Ronaldo said. " He won (last year), but it wasn't by much."

"This year it's obvious that he's going to win. It's not that any of them is better than the other. As the years go by, they both continue to perform at a very high level. It just depends on the particular season."