Ronaldo deserves Ballon d'Or award, says Brazil legend Ronaldo

Brazil legend Ronaldo and Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to win the FIFA Ballon d'Or award for the third time, according to Brazil legend Ronaldo.

The 29-year-old forward led Real Madrid to their 10th Champions League title in May and has already scored 18 goals from 10 La Liga matches this season.

"I think Cristiano Ronaldo is going to win again," Ronaldo said. "He is playing very well and he still scores a lot of goals."

Among the Portugal forward's rivals for the award is four-time winner Lionel Messi, who won the Golden Ball for the best player at this year's World Cup.

Despite the accolade in Brazil, Messi has failed to reach the heights of previous years for his club Barcelona.

"I think Messi has been very good but not so fantastic as other years," Ronaldo said, adding that he hoped Brazil starlet Neymar can finish in the top three.

The three finalists for the award will be announced on December 1 and the winner named on January 12.