​Brazil's national team manager, Tite, has stoked the fire ahead of next Saturday's El Clasico, by claiming that Cristiano Ronaldo is a worthy winner of the 2016 Ballon d'Or, whilst Lionel Messi isn't even in his top three candidates.





Ronaldo is thought to be the favourite for football's most coveted individual prize, having enjoyed arguably the most successful year of his career. The Real Madrid star claimed the Champions League crown with his club side in May, before leading his country to European glory in France just months later.

Ronaldo's likely competition will once again be his nemesis, Lionel Messi, who currently has won the Ballon d'Or twice more than the Portuguese star.





But Brazil head coach, Tite, believes that whilst Messi is the best player in the world, the Argentine won't come close to Ronaldo, who he backs to be crowned the 2016 winner.

Tite told the Brazilian press (as reported by FIFA.com): “Messi’s the best in the world, but this year, Ronaldo has been the best. For his triumphs, Cristiano’s year has been better.





“In second, Neymar, and in third, [Antoine] Griezmann. I left Messi out because he was injured a lot. Cristiano is direct, is fascinated with the goal. Messi is playful, creative.”





It may be hard to argue with the 55-year-old coach, despite their being an obvious conflict of interest as Messi is a national of Brazil's neighbours Argentina.

Whilst Ronaldo has had a successful year within his respective teams, he has also been in prolific personal form, having won the La Liga golden boot last season, and has now racked up an incredible 30 La Liga goals in a calendar year, for the 7th time in his career.





The winner of the Ballon d'Or will be crowned in the new year so there remains time for Messi to stake his claim for the title, starting this coming weekend, when his Barcelona side meet Ronaldo's Real Madrid in the world famous El Clasico fixture.

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