Ronaldo
Didier Drogba says that "real leader" Cristiano Ronaldo should win
the 2016 Ballon d'Or for his work in driving Real Madrid and Portugal to
glory.
Three-time former Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo is now the
big favourite to reclaim the trophy from Barcelona rival Lionel Messi,
after he netted the winning penalty in the shootout as Madrid won this
year's Champions League final, and then lifted the Euro 2016 trophy with
Portugal.
The 31-year-old's chances have been helped by Messi's
unhappy Copa America Centenario this summer, where he announced his
intention to quit international football after losing a third major
international final in as many years.
Other challengers, such as Blaugrana
duo Luis Suarez and Neymar, and Atletico Madrid and France attacker
Antoine Griezmann, are now realistically just battling for a place on
the podium.
On a visit to Los Blancos' preseason training
camp in Canada, former Chelsea striker Drogba -- who now plays at Major
League Soccer club Montreal Impact -- told Real Madrid TV that
the injury which forced Ronaldo off early in the Euro 2016 final
against France should not deflect attention from his "great
performances" for club and country.
"I played against Cristiano in
the 2008 Champions League final that Manchester United won," Drogba
said. "He's a real leader and he deserves to win the Ballon d'Or for his
great performances both for Real Madrid and Portugal. Although he
wasn't on the pitch at the final whistle, he was still the main reason
why they got that far."
Drogba did not get to meet his old
adversary during the visit to Madrid's training camp, as Ronaldo is
still on holidays in Europe and not due to return to work with his club
until August.
Marca has claimed that he might not return to action until early September,
missing the European Supercup and first two La Liga fixtures, as he
strives to recover completely from the knee injury suffered against
France after a tackle from Dimitri Payet early in the match at the Stade
de France.
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