Jorge Mendes has unsurprisingly backed his client Cristiano Ronaldo to win the Ballon d’Or claiming the award “only has one name”.
Ronaldo is going after his sixth Ballon d’Or, but is coming off somewhat of a down year by his usual standards, failing to win the league with Juventus, while Portugal were unsuccessful in their bid to retain the European Championships.
However, on an individual basis, the 36-year-old has continued to break records, becoming the most prolific scorer in the history of men’s international football.
He was also the top scorer at Euro 2020, despite Portugal’s elimination in the round of 16.
Ronaldo also finished his Juventus career by top scoring in Serie A, although the Bianconeri failed to win the Scudetto for the first time since his arrival in Italian football.
Lionel Messi is the overwhelming favourite to scoop the award for a record seventh time, having ended his long wait for international honours winning the Copa America.
Chelsea and Italy midfielder Jorginho is also highly fancied having won the Champions League with his club before guiding the Azzurri to the Euros, beating England in the final.
But superagent Mendes, who has been Ronaldo’s representative ever since the early days of his career, believes his compatriot is more than deserving of the honour.
“The Ballon d’Or has only one name, Cristiano Ronaldo,” he told France Football.
“He has never deserved it as much as this year. Top scorer in Serie A and at the Euros. He holds the record for goals in Champions League and is the only one who has won everything in three different countries.”
Mendes added: “He is the best scorer in the history of football. It is a decisive thing, it must be so for the trophy, because he continues to prove to be the best player in history.”
Legendary Brazilian striker Ronaldo has snubbed both his namesake and Lionel Messi with his recommendation, insisting Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema should be recognised.
Benzema is coming off a season where he scored 29 times in all competitions and already has 10 from as many games this time around.
"Without a doubt, my candidate for the Ballon d'Or is Benzema. The best striker, brutal level for 10 years and champion above all. Don't you think?"
The winner will be named in November, with the ceremony returning after a coronavirus-induced hiatus in 2020.
Between them, Ronaldo and Messi have won all but one of the awards since 2008, with Luka Modric the only player to break the pair’s duopoly when he was named in 2018.
