Iker Casillas: I would be suprised if Cristiano Ronaldo wins the Balloon d’Or
Legendary Spain goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, has said he would be surprised should Ballon d’Or 2019 award be awarded to Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Lionel Messi and Virgil van Dijk.
The award’s gala night will hold in December and there have been growing insinuations the Portuguese may beat off competition from the Barcelona ace.
And Casillas, who played with Ronaldo before sealing a sensational move to Porto, said on Friday, November 15, that he would be left with impression questioning the criteria for the award should the Juve star pick the coveted gong.
“Van Dijk was the best player for UEFA. Messi for FIFA,” the 38-year-old said in a post on his verified Twitter account.
“Imagine if Cristiano [Ronaldo] (who fully deserves to) wins the Ballon d’Or. I’d be left with the distinct impression that the criteria for giving out awards in football aren’t very consistent – wouldn’t you?” the former Spanish international submitted.
Both Ronaldo and Messi are adjudged as image of football having dominated the game for a period spanning fifteen years.
The pair have won five Ballon d’Or awards each among numerous football prizes.
Lucas Modric remains the only player to break the monopoly from the two leading stars with his stellar performance during the 21018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool centre-back, looks like another big name that may follow the path of Modric to the award.
The Dutch star helped Liverpool to European glory, winning UEFA best men’s player award in the process ahead of the Argentine captain and the Portuguese star.
And with Messi also named FIFA The Best best player after helping Barcelona to a domestic brace, there is a great chance for Cristiano winning the award
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