Real Madrid’s most expensive signing Gareth Bale has lauded his teammate Cristiano Ronaldo by saying that the Portuguese is the best player in the world. Ronaldo finally managed to beat Lionel Messi and win the FIFA Ballon d’Or award for this year. He last won the trophy back in 2008 after which he earned an £ 80 million move to Real Madrid. He has gone on from strength to strength since making the move to Madrid. However, the form of Messi has managed to keep him at bay when it comes to the Ballon d’Or award.

Injuries at important stages of the season have put Messi out of contention for this award. Bale is expected to be one of the future winners of the award, as he has started his Madrid career in impressive fashion. He has formed a great partnership with Ronaldo, but his performance levels have dipped in recent weeks. Manager Carlo Ancelotti has stated that the world record signing has more to give on the pitch and he is expecting improved performances from the Welshman in the future.

Ronaldo was very emotional after winning the award and he later said that he is happy to have been recognised as the best player in the world by his peers. Ronaldo beat Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery to this coveted prize.

“For his first year, he’s doing well. Of course he can do better because he needs to combine better with his team-mates. But those are normal problems for a player who’s discovering a new culture, new football and new country. It’s not a problem about being in the starting line-up or not, Gareth Bale is a very, very important player for us. Gareth Bale’s history is very clear,” said Ancelotti about the player, who faced fitness problems at the start of the season.