Sir Alex Ferguson Picks 'Unsurpassed' Cristiano Ronaldo for 2016 Ballon d'Or Win

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to win the 2016 Ballon d'Or, saying what he has accomplished is "unsurpassed."

Speaking to Marca's David G. Medina, the Scotsman backed the 31-year-old based on the two main trophies he won last season: the UEFA Champions League with Los Blancos and UEFA Euro 2016 with Portugal:

"

I can't think of anyone better to lift the Ballon d'Or than Cristiano.

His achievements are unsurpassed and he's had a wonderful year, winning both the Champions League with Real Madrid and captaining Portugal in Euro 2016, where despite missing the final through injury he was on the sideline cheering on his teammates.

Such was his desire to lift the trophy and it was wonderful to see.

One of the moments when I feel most proud is the thought that Manchester United played a part in his career.

"

Ferguson turned Ronaldo into the world-class player he is today while the two worked together at Old Trafford before the star forward moved to the Spanish capital in 2009. At the time, he had already won the Ballon d'Or, and he has added two more since.

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The Portuguese star is the favourite to add yet another award this year, ahead of Barcelona rivals Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. The latter outscored him in La Liga last year, bagging 40 goals, but Barcelona had to settle for a domestic double after coming up short in Europe.

It's hardly a surprise Ferguson would pick his former player to win the award, and as noted by Sport Witness, the relaying of the Scot's comments fits the ongoing campaign from the Madrid-based media to win Ronaldo his fourth Ballon d'Or:

There's no doubt the Real Madrid man deserves the award this year, however. While he didn't score in the Champions League final―except for the final strike in the penalty shootout―he played a massive role getting Los Blancos that far, scoring 16 goals in the competition.

Similarly, Portugal likely wouldn't have progressed to the Euro 2016 final without their main attacking option―Ronaldo scored two vital equalisers in the 3-3 group-stage draw against Hungary, which ensured a spot in the next round.

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Speaking to Marca (h/t Goal's Sacha Pisani), Fabio Cannavaro, the last defender to win the award, also backed the Real man: "Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to win the Ballon d'Or, without a doubt. Even if he hasn't scored these last few games, we shouldn't forget all he's done this year. Carlo Ancelotti used to say that with Cristiano, it is like starting a match with a 1-0 edge."

Messi, Suarez and Neymar could have boosted their chances by winning the Copa America Centenario, but Chile grabbed their second title in a row and swept all of the major individual awards. For Messi and Argentina, it was the third straight loss in a major final in three years.

Antoine Griezmann is another candidate, but he likely would've needed to add some silverware in order to beat Ronaldo. His teams lost to the Ballon d'Or favourite's sides in both the Champions League final and Euro 2016 final. 

The Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place on Jan. 9, 2017.