Despite Cristiano Ronaldo's barren run in La Liga, Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic believes that the Portugal star deserves the 2017 Ballon d'Or.
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The former Manchester United winger has scored only two goals in 10 league matches this season, but has found the back of the net on eight occasions in the UEFA Champions League group stage, and Kovacic has insisted Ronaldo deserves to match Lionel Messi's record of five Ballons d'Or because he was able to lift two significant trophies last season.
"I think he should win the Ballon d'Or because this year was amazing. He scored many goals, won everything with the team, and he was a key piece of that," Kovacic said, as quoted by FourFourTwo.
"I'm happy for him. We all are. But the most important thing for us is to win as a team."
The Croatian also believes it will not be long before the Portuguese is firing on all cylinders again.
"Me and the rest of my teammates, we see Cristiano as always in good shape," he added.
"He's the best player in the world, and he has already scored many goals this season, and he will score way more goals, for sure.
"At the moment, the ball is not willing to go in, but as I said before, this is football, and sometimes the ball doesn't want to get in the goal, but there's still time left until the end, and he will score way more as usual."
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The 32-year-old has made 17 appearances for Los Blancos this season, scoring 11 goals and assisting three further strikes.
Do you think Ronaldo will find his goalscoring touch again soon? Have your say in the comments section below.