Ronaldo deserves Ballon d’Or, says Asamoah

Juventus midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah has tipped Cristiano Ronaldo to win the 2013 Ballon d’Or.

The Real Madrid star has enjoyed a remarkable year for both club and country. The 28-year-old striker, who has been shortlisted for the Best Player award, netted a record 69 times for Los Blancos, making him the most prolific hitman in European club football in 2013.

He was immense for Portugal during the World Cup play-off triumph over Sweden in November.

Asamoah believes consistency gives Ronaldo an edge over his contenders Lionel Messi of Barcelona and last season’s treble winning Franck Ribery.

“In my opinion it will be Ronaldo,” the ex-Udinese midfielder relates when he received the Goal Ghana Player of the Year 2013 Award. “He did so well last season and this season he is continuing from where he left off and has been consistent, so he deserves it.”

Asamoah said the Portugal captain is in a class of his own, adding he is the sort of player one learns from anytime on the pitch. The 25-year-old marked the Madrid forward and Gareth Bale at the group phase of the Uefa Champions League this year and described that clash as a learning process.

“It wasn’t easy. That game was my first even playing at full-back. It wasn’t easy because these are players who have got speed and are very skillful and know how to shoot. The least chance you give them they’ll punish you. With them I have learnt something out of it because with these players the more you play with them the more you learn something out of it too,” Asamoah noted.