Real Madrid Raul has named Cristiano Ronaldo as the player he believes will win the Ballon d'Or this year.
Ronaldo was unsurprisingly named on the 30-man shortlist for the award, alongside rival Lionel Messi and several other superstars such as Gareth Bale and Sergio Aguero.
When asked who his pick for the award was, Raul revealed his former Galacticos team-mate had the edge over the rest of the pack.
I think Cristiano. This is between Cristiano and Messi, and Griezmann can enter the podium,� Raul toldSport.
Cristiano, Messi and Griezmann would be a good podium."
Although Raul picked Ronaldo ahead of Barcelona star Messi, he couldn't identify either one as the better player, claiming they were both at the same level.
The best in the world depends at the moment,� Raul continued.
Cristiano and Messi are level.�
Ronaldo managed 35 La Liga goals in 36 appearances, while Messi mustered 26 league efforts in 33 games. The two have morecompetition this year however, with the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Gareth Bale, Luis Suarez and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all experiencing great success in 2016.
The prize has been dominated by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi since 2008, with Brazilian playmaker Kaka the last player to beat either of them.
Antoine Griezmann was recently named as the best player in La Liga at the league's annual awards, and is widelyexpected to be the player most likely finish ahead of Messi or Ronaldo, alongside Luis Suarez.
Leicester stars Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy have also been nominated, both having helped the Foxes to an unprecedented Premier League title last season.
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