Ronaldo Will Win The Ballon d’Or Again, Says Zinedine Zidane

 

Zinedine Zidane feels Cristiano Ronaldo is certain to win the Ballon d'Or again after his hat-trick sealed a Madrid derby win. Ronaldo claimed his 39th career hat-trick as Real thrashed city neighbours Atletico Madrid 3-0 at their Estadio Vicente Calderon home on Saturday night.

The victory gave Real a four-point lead at the top of La Liga over Barcelona and puts them nine points clear of Atletico and Real boss Zidane praised match-winner Ronaldo after the game, insisting he is destined to repeat his world player of the year triumphs of 2008, 2013 and 2014.

He said “I've never had any doubts that Cristiano is the best. Tonight ends that debate, the Ballon d'Or will be for him. I had no doubt, and it is not the three goals he scored that will make me change my mind. He demonstrated it all last season, he demonstrates it every time. We expect a lot from him, but he is above everyone else.”

Real were without injured midfield pair Toni Kroos and Casemiro while Zidane named Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema on the bench. Diego Simeone's Atletico have now lost three of their last four games in falling off the title pace.