Portuguese legend Luis Figo has said that Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo has the capability of being a worthy winner of the FIFA Ballon d’Or award this season should he received one. The 27-year-old has been spoken of as one of the contenders for the award due to the fact that he scored more than 50 goals in all competitions for both club and country last season. It would have been enough to win the FIFA Ballon d’Or award in any other season, but due to the fact that Lionel Messi managed to overcome his achievement by getting 73 goals means that it is not all over for the Argentine.

Yet, the fact that Cristiano Ronaldo has not only won the league title with his club team Real Madrid, but also the fact that he has been able to get the Portuguese national team into the semifinals of the competition make him a worthy winner of this award. FIFA Ballon d’Or award is a major award given to an exceptional athlete during a season. Luis Figo is one of the few Portuguese players who have lifted this award, with Cristiano Ronaldo being another. However, it has been many seasons since the former Manchester United star lifted this award.

“Ronaldo matches all the criteria to win the Ballon d’Or for everything he did last season, but these choices are always subjective, because some 100 people will vote. However, it is clear that Ronaldo had a wonderful season,” Figo told reporters. After being granted an extended holiday pay the manager José Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo will be joining the rest of his teammates in the pre-season tour of the United States. Lionel Messi has won the coveted Ballon d’Or award for the last three times in succession and it would be historic if he receives his fourth this season.