Iker Casillas:"Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world"

Iker Casillas attended a publicity event on Monday afternoon, during which he hit on two main points of interests: Cristiano Ronaldo's scoring record and UEFA's dismissal of the report concerning racial abuse by Sergio Busquets.


Cristiano Ronaldo:
"He is a decisive and influential player. Very few are capable of putting up the numbers he has. Only three players have ever done it, which speaks of the talent he possesses. There are no more team titles that we can win this year, but we can help him win an individual award. We feel it is important for him to win an award when he is so deserving of it. He is one of the best players in the world."

UEFA:(Sergio Busquets)
"If UEFA made the decision not to punish Busquets, they must know what they saw and what happened. Everyone saw it. There is no alternative."

Spanish national team:
"It was an intense 19 days with four matches that both clubs wanted to win. Anything that happened is in the past. Each team did what was in its best interest. It is normal that there be tense moments. It would be terrible if the players stopped getting along after accomplishing what we did. When we are playing together for La Roja we have the interests of all Spaniards in mind."

Champions League final:
"I hope it is football that comes out as the big winner and that fans are well-behaved and respectful of one another. The two teams have earned the right to play in the final for one reason or another."

Real Madrid's Ninth Ballon d'Or winner

Cristiano Ronaldo may join a long list of Madridistas honoured by France Football

Realmadrid.com / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell

The Santiago Bernabeu is the stadium where many of the best players in the world have showcased their talents. Cristiano Ronaldo could become the latest addition in a list of Madridistas that have won the Ballon d'Or.

Cristiano Ronaldo (2008)
His spectacular campaign in 2008 made him the most prominent player at Manchester United, with whom he won the Premiership and the Champions League. He won the Ballon d'Or, the Golden Boot and the FIFA World Player awards.

Kaka (2007)
The year 2007 was very special for Kaka. He won the Ballon d'Or thanks to his great season at Milan, during which he won the Champions League, and he was also the tournament's top-scorer with 10 strikes. He was voted as the Best Striker in the Champions League, Best Player in the World by FIFPro and the Most Valuable Player of the World Club Championship. He also won the FIFA World Player award and was featured in the Golden Eleven.

Cannavaro (2006)
Fabio Cannavaro won the Ballon d'Or in 2006 thaks to his great season at Juventus and winning the 2006 World Cup with Italy. He also won the FIFA World Player award and signed for Real Madrid.

Ronaldo (2002)
The Brazilian won the Ballon d'Or in 2002 after coming back from a serious knee injury that kept him off the pitch for more than a year.

Owen (2001)
Owen won the UEFA Cup, the European Super Cup, the Carling Cup and the FA Cup with Liverpool. He became the youngest player to receive the Ballon d'Or.

Figo (2000)
His excellent season at Barcelona in 1999 gave him the award; he won the league title, signed for Real Madrid, received the Ballon d'Or and won yet another league title.

Zidane (1998)
Leader at Juventus and on the French national team, he helped his country win the World Cup against Brazil with two goals.

Di Stefano (1957, 1959)
A true symbol of Real Madrid and a world football icon. He is the only player with a Super Ballon d'Or.

Kopa (1958)
He won Real Madrid's third European Cup and starrred in the 1958 World Cup, in which France finished third.