Former Real Madrid and Barcelona player Luis Figo has aired his views on Sergio Ramos’ hard luck with the Ballon d’Or.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have won the coveted individual trophy a record five times each. And after leading Croatia through a successful World Cup campaign at Russia 2018, Real Madrid star Luka Modric took home this year’s Ballon d’Or.
However, Figo thinks Sergio Ramos should have been on the list before now.
Ramos, who captained Los Blancos to their third successive Champions League trophies, has the charisma, skills and determination required to win the individual award. The free-scoring defender was part of Team Spain at the 2018 World Cup despite their huge disappointment at the global football tournament.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Marca, Figo explained that it has never been easy for defenders to win the crown. The 46-year-old football icon however urged Ramos and other footballers playing in his position to do more in order to be considered “serious candidates”.
‘Everyone knows that Sergio Ramos deserves to win the Ballon d’Or,’ said the retired Portuguese footballer.
He continued, ‘It’s a lot more difficult to win the individual crown as a defender even though Cannavaro, the Italian captain who won the World Cup, did it…It’s the same for goalkeepers, too.’
Figo noted that many factors are taken into consideration before a winner emerges.
‘It depends on the player’s quality, his form at the moment, individual achievements within the period, contributions to the club and national team…But for quality alone it’s obvious that Ramos should win it.’
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