The Real Madrid forward is confident his "fantastic" team-mate will beat Barcelona star Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer to the award


Gareth Bale says Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to win the 2014 Fifa Ballon d'Or after having a "fantastic" year.

The Portuguese star inspired his side to the the Champions League, Uefa Super Cup and Copa del Rey last season, and has carried his incredible form into the current campaign, hitting 29 goals in 21 games in all competitions.

Ronaldo has been nominated for the Ballon d'Or alongside Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who won the World Cup with Germany this year, but Bale believes his team-mate who should take the prize for a second consecutive year.

"Ronaldo was fantastic this year," the Welshman told TeleFoot. "He deserves to win the Ballon d'Or."

Former France international Bixente Lizarazu also weighed in on the debate, backing Bale's claims by saying, "Ronaldo was better than Lionel Messi this year."

Former Barcelona defender Maxwell, meanwhile, believes the Argentine forward is the game's undisputed No.1.

"For me there is no discussion," he said. "Messi is the best player in the world."

On Saturday, the Madrid talisman scored his 200th Liga goal, reaching the milestone with his 23rd hat-trick in the Spanish top flight - a new record.