Ronaldo: Cristiano deserves Ballon d'Or

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil great Ronaldo described Cristiano Ronaldo's goalscoring run as "unthinkable" and said the Portuguese forward is a clear favorite for the Ballon d'Or award.

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his second goal against Celta Vigo during their Spanish First Division soccer match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid December 6, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

Ronaldo has scored 32 goals in 26 matches in all competitions this season for Spanish giants Real Madrid.

"What he is doing is incredible," the Brazilian told Canal+. " His numbers were unthinkable in my time and before that. He deserves it. He has so much quality and he uses it very intelligently.

"It's incredible to watch him play. He combines so well his technical quality with his physical force."

Ronaldo, who has won the award twice before, has been shortlisted for this year's prize alongside his long-time rival Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

The winner will be announced in Zurich on January 12.

"I think this year is a lot clearer than last," Ronaldo said. " He won, but it wasn't by much."

"This year it's obvious that he's going to win. It's not that any of them is better than the other. As the years go by, they both continue to perform at a very high level. It just depends on the particular season."