Wednesday, 27th November, 2013
Rafael van der Vaart has backed Cristiano Ronaldo to win this year's FIFA Ballon d'Or, explaining the Real Madrid icon is not arrogant and works extremely hard.
Ronaldo has had to look on as Lionel Messi has scooped up the last four consecutive Ballon d'Ors, but this year the Portuguese looks to be involved in a fight with Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery for the crown.
Van der Vaart, who played with Ronaldo for one season at Real Madrid, feels that it is his former team-mate who should take the accolade.
Speaking to Audi Star Talk, the Dutchman said: "He's different than Messi, who is much more of a natural talent.
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"Cristiano works incredibly hard.
"When you score 60 goals in a season, you are for me the number one.
"He sometimes comes across as arrogant, but in the dressing room he was always really quiet and even shy.
"He worked hard and was often found in the weight room. Ronaldo would be my choice for world footballer of the year."
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