With two Ballon d'Or victories under his belt, Brazilian football legend Ronaldo Nazario has an authority few others can match when it comes to giving an opinion on the coveted trophy, and he believes Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema deserves to win it this year.
Only Marco Van Basten, Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff (all three), Cristiano Ronaldo (five), and Lionel Messi (seven) have more Ballon d'Or. Benzema, on the other hand, has none, which the Brazilian believes is long overdue to change.
"Benzema deserves the Ballon d'Or, I've been saying it for years and getting slammed," Ronaldo told Sky Sport Italia's Alessandro Del Piero.
"However, he deserves it because he's a fantastic forward." The current president of Real Valladolid also discussed his career, reflecting blissfully on the respect he has gained and continues to receive from supporters all around the world.
"I have a lot of fond memories, but what always astounds me is the love people have for me wherever I travel," Ronaldo stated. "Everyone always has a lot of respect for me." It was a fantastic career...the results on the field, what I accomplished with Brazil and my clubs...it was a lovely career."
Before joining Inter Milan, Ronaldo said that he was close to staying at Barcelona.
"We agreed to renew with Barcelona, but four days later the president called to tell me I couldn't stay," Ronaldo explained.
"He stated that I could speak with other clubs, and the Nerazzurri soon came in and paid the buyout clause. Serie A was the greatest in the world at the time."
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