Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has foretold Cristiano Ronaldo will win the 2016 Ballon d’Or award to further cement his legendary status at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Ronaldo, 31, has been seen as the favourite to take a fourth career Ballon d’Or trophy after he won both the Champions League and Euro 2016 with Madrid and Portugal respectively this year.
Speaking at an event recognising the longest-serving Madrid socio members, on the day that Ronaldo scored twice in the 2-1 La Liga win at home to Sporting Gijon, Perez said the Portugal captain was the “real successor” to club legend and past Ballon d’Or winner Alfredo Di Stefano.
“You’ll allow me to now dedicate some words to a player who should win his fourth Ballon d’Or in a few days’ time,” Perez said. “Cristiano Ronaldo is already one of our big legends. He’s the leading all-time goal scorer and is the real successor to our beloved Alfredo Di Stefano, and he leads a team which belongs to the eternal history of madridismo.”
Perez also praised Blancos coach and former player Zinedine Zidane, whose team are now 31 games unbeaten in all competitions — the second longest run ever by a Madrid side.
“We have a coach who’s a Real Madrid legend,” he said. “I always say that Zinedine Zidane joined the club back then to change the history of our club. He has lifted the European Cup as a Real Madrid player, as assistant coach and as the first-team coach. He’s also symbolises what our club means.”
Currently seven years into his second spell as Madrid president, Perez reminded those present that the club had come through “difficult periods” into their current state of “institutional stability and unquestionable financial solidity.”
“We have the immense duty of maintaining Real Madrid at the summit in sporting, economic and social terms because that will also guarantee that you’re the only ones to define the direction the club takes,” he said.
“Today we’re enjoying institutional stability and unquestionable financial solidity. In view of your experience, you know that it hasn’t been easy to get to this point and at times we’ve had to overcome difficult periods.”
Perez added that “unconditional support of all our players and coaches” was an important duty of Madrid supporters, such as those who were being recognised for 25, 50 and 60 years of continued support for the club.
“As we all know, Real Madrid is a club with 114 years of history and you have been, and continue to be, an essential part of that history,” he said. “Your commitment and support enable us to continue in our efforts to achieve the apparently impossible. This is why your encouragement and unconditional support of all of our players and coaches is so important. Your commitment and backing are vital to them.”