Real Madrid defender Pepe has said it will be a scandal if club and international team mate Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t win the Ballon d’Or in January.
There is much debate going on in the media across Europe at the moment as to who is the most deserving player for football’s most prestigious individual honour. In the past few years there debate has surrounded just two players – Leo Messi and Ronaldo.
But with Germany having won the World Cup in Brazil in the summer, many feel a German player should win the award – Toni Kroos, Mario Goetze or goalkeeper Manuel Neuer for example.
But Pepe told A Bola it would be a scandal if 29-year-ol Ronaldo doesn’t retain the award he won a year ago. The Portuguese forward helped Madrid to three trophies this calendar year – the historic 10th European Cup, the Copa del Rey and the European Super Cup. Last season he netted more than 50 goals for his club. And this campaign he has already scored 23 goals in just 17 games for Los Blancos.
Veteran defender Pepe said: “If any other players wins, they should be ashamed given what Cristiano has been doing, beating lots of records, scoring 17 goals in the Champions League last season. These things are almost impossible”.
He continued: “In three months he has scored 23 goals. What else does he need to do? He is the best player in history and I repeat: it would be a scandal and a shame if they do not give him the Ballon d’Or.”
