Fabio Capello has picked Cristiano Ronaldo as his favorite to win the 2013 Ballon d'Or.
The Russia manager explained that while he felt Ronaldo was not deserving of the award most years, he has made a tremendous case for himself as the best player of 2013.
"This year Cristiano definitely deserves it," Capello said, according to Real Madrid News. "In recent years, he always deservedly came second to Messi but this season he has done really decisive things. Against Sweden in the play-offs, he carried his Portugal to qualification for the World Cup. It was impressive."
Ronaldo had a relatively quiet start to 2013 and failed to help Real Madrid win a trophy in the entire 2012-13 season. However, he got off to a terrific start in 2013-14 with 17 goals and three assists in 14 Spanish League games; he also has eight goals and two assists in four Champions League matches. He also scored a hat trick against Ireland in the World Cup qualifiers earlier this fall and was the reason why Portugal got past Sweden in the playoffs. He scored the lone goal in the first leg of the playoff and then scored the opener in the second leg. Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored two for Sweden to level the aggregate, but Ronaldo responded with two straight goals to clinch a World Cup berth for his nation.
Ronaldo's biggest rivals for the trophy are Franck Ribery and Lionel Messi. Messi has had a sub-par season by his own standards due to an injury. Ribery was part of a tremendous Bayern Munich side that won three trophies in 2012-13.