Friday 28 October 2016 16:50, UK
Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to win his fourth Ballon d'Or title after an "incredible" 2016, according to his Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane.
Ronaldo was one of 30 players nominated on Monday for the Ballon d'Or, along with team-mate Gareth Bale, Barcelona rival Lionel Messi and Leicester pair Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy.
He has scored 38 goals for club and country this year, helping Portugal to the Euro 2016 title and Real to their 11th Champions League triumph.
Ronaldo won the award in 2008 when at Manchester United and in 2013 and 2014 with Real and Zidane feels he should collect his fourth victory this year.
"I know how it works, but I've seen him all year and Cristiano deserves it," he said.
"It's always the same. Cristiano has set such a high bar that whenever he is a little off form, everyone thinks there is a problem.
"In 2016 what he has done, not only at an individual level but also at the team level, has been incredible and he knows that is thanks to hard work and the people around him."
Real are unbeaten in all competitions this season and have scored 20 goals in their last four games, but Zidane believes Los Blancos will still be tested on Saturday when they travel to mid-table Alaves, who beat Barcelona 2-1 in September.
"I expect a very difficult game against a team that has not lost at home," said Zidane, who is without the banned Daniel Carvajal.
"If we want some silverware to end of season with we have to think about how to achieve that every day, not believing that some games we will win easily because that's wrong."
