The Ghana international feels the Portuguese star will triumph ahead of Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery and lift the prize for a second time
EXCLUSIVE
By Kent Mensah & Edmund Okai Gyimah
Juventus midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah has tipped Cristiano Ronaldo to win the 2013 Ballon d’Or.
The Real Madrid forward has been named on a three-man shortlist to lift the prize, alongside Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery on the back of his efforts over the past 12 months.
The 28-year-old has enjoyed a staggering year of personal success after scoring a record 69 times for los Blancos, making him the most prolific hitman in European club football in 2013, and Asamoah believes the Portuguese simply has to be awarded the trophy.
“In my opinion it will be Ronaldo,” the ex-Udinese midfielder said upon receiving the Goal Ghana Player of the Year 2013 Award.
“He did so well last season and this season he is continuing from where he left off and has been consistent, so he deserves it.”
Asamoah, 25, came up against Ronaldo and Gareth Bale during the Bianconeri’s clash with Madrid in the group stages of the Champions League and he discussed the difficulties in trying to keep the former Manchester United man under wraps.
He added: “It wasn’t easy. That game was my first even playing at full-back. It wasn’t easy because these are players who have got speed and are very skilfull and know how to shoot.
“The smallest chance you give them they’ll punish you. With them I have learnt something out of it because with these players the more you play with them the more you learn something out of it too.”