Carlo Ancelotti feels Cristiano Ronaldo is currently the best player in the world and deserves to win the Ballon d’Or.
The Portuguese star scored a stunning hat-trick in his country’s World Cup 2014 play-off victory over Sweden this week, a performance that convinced Madrid boss Ancelotti that his player currently has no equal.
“I saw the match against Sweden and asked myself if it was true this footballer plays for Real Madrid. It is hard to talk about him at the moment because everyone can see that he is the number one.
“I really like seeing him play because right now he is incredible and is playing extraordinary football. I think it would be a big decision not to give him the Ballon d’Or.
“I hope he does win it because he deserves to,” pronounced the Italian in an interview with Real Madrid TV.
Before the international break Los Blancos were beginning to find some form, something that gives Ancelotti plenty of encouragement for the rest of the season.
“In recent matches we’ve shown that the team has tried to be more balanced on the pitch and we have played better.
“The future will also be better because the squad is good, the players are motivated, and the fans are behind us, which puts pressure on the team and motivates them.
“In the first half against Real Sociedad we were very good. We’ve played well in spells in lots of matches but now we need consistency.”
The 54-year-old also spoke about what has been his biggest surprise in his five months coaching Madrid and how he has settled in the Spanish capital.
“Living within Real Madrid is very different from how you think it will be from outside. I have always thought of it as a prestigious club with a lot of history and tradition, but experiencing it from inside is different.
“Everyone says it is the most prestigious club in the world and that’s true, because every time we go to a hotel or airport the fans are right behind the team and the club.
“Madrid is a city with a very similar culture to what you see in Italy. I would compare it to Rome because of its history, not Milan, which is an industrial city.
“It is very different to London or Paris. People here like to talk, share, greet each other and socialise more.”
Finally, he commented on the difference between other clubs he has coached and Real Madrid.
“I had never seen nine European Cups together. There is one missing,” he declared.
