Dani Alves has conceded that Cristiano Ronaldo ‘is a little ahead of the others’ this year, but that he would still give the Ballon d’Or to someone else.
The Real Madrid man has enjoyed a strong start to the season with 32 goals scored already between club and country and is seen as favourite alongside Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery to make the three-man shortlist for the FIFA Ballon d’Or for 2013.
It is a start to the season that has one Clasico rival in acknowledgement, even if not for deserving the award.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is a little ahead of the others. He is in a very good state,” considered Alves before reflecting on who he feels deserves the award.
“If the award cannot go to Messi, then I would give it to Ribery because he has won everything. To qualify for the Ballon d’Or you have to have won a title with your team.”
