Zinedine Zidane: 'Cristiano Ronaldo deserved Ballon d'Or'

By Paul Gorst, Reporter | 15 February 2015

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane claims that Cristiano Ronaldo was a deserving winner of the Ballon d'Or, despite Manuel Neuer helping Germany to World Cup glory.

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has stated that Cristiano Ronaldo was a deserving winner of this year's Ballon d'Or.

The Portugal international pipped Manuel Neuer and Lionel Messi to the award last month, and Zidane said that he understood frustration from Germany over the goalkeeper's failure to land the prize.

However, the France legend said that Ronaldo was a worthy winner of the prestigious FIFA award, despite Neuer winning the World Cup in the summer.

"I understand that Germans think that Manuel Neuer should have won the Ballon d'Or," Zidane told Die Welt. "It was not only in Germany that there was a debate over whether Neuer would have been a better choice, but also France and Spain.

"He would have deserved it, as he is a fantastic player who took goalkeeping to another level with his ability on the ball. But, at the same time, Ronaldo is a player from another planet!"

The Ballon d'Or win was Ronaldo's second consecutive crowning as the best player in the world.