Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos believes that teammate Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to win the Ballon d'Or ahead of Barcelona's Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo has netted 24 times in 17 games for Madrid this season, but it has been a largely frustrating campaign for Messi, with injury keeping the Argentine on the sidelines until 2014.
"Messi is a step below. Not in the past, but this year Cristiano has been the best," Ramos told Movistar.
"You have to give the Ballon d'Or to the best player at the moment – it shouldn't be a personal decision."
Despite Messi's troubles this season, the Argentine has still scored 14 times in 16 games.
