Former Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez says that Cristiano Ronaldo does not deserve to win the 2015 Ballon d'Or.

Real Madrid superstar Ronaldo picked up the 2014 prize and is expected to be in the running again this year after scoring 61 goals in all competitions.

However, Marquez believes that the Portuguese did not always perform for his club side this season as they failed to win La Liga or the Champions League.

"I think there are other players who have done a little more than Ronaldo to win the Ballon d'Or," Marquez told Goal. "But as he won the Pichichi he could potentially fight for it again.

"Ronaldo has an expiration date just like everyone else. I do not know how much longer he will last but he is one of the best players in football history.

"We have seen that Cristiano was unable to carry his team on some occasions, but that does not mean he was unimportant. He is a vital part of the Real Madrid side."

Marquez, who is currently contracted to Italian side Hellas Verona, played for Barcelona from 2003 until 2007 and won two Champions League titles and four La Ligas.

The Mexican stopper also commented on Carlo Ancelotti's sacking from Real Madrid this week and he understands why Blancos president Florentino Perez pulled the trigger.

"The pressure at a team like Real Madrid is such that big clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea and AC Milan cannot afford to go a year without winning anything," he explained. "I think that is the reason for the dismissal of Ancelotti.

"Real Madrid did not win La Liga or the Copa del Rey, nor did they make the final of the Champions League. This is the coach's job at a big team - to produce results and win championships."