Xavi thinks Ronaldo will win Ballon d'Or: 'He has the numbers'

Cristiano Ronaldo recently received an endorsement to win the Ballon d'Or from an unlikely figure, as former Barcelona captain Xavi tipped the Real Madrid star to win football's highest individual honour.

While his loyalties continue to be with former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi, Xavi can't help but think Ronaldo's accomplishments this year on both the international and domestic levels have put him in prime position to win the coveted prize.

"Cristiano has the numbers to win this year's Ballon d'Or, having won the Champions League and the Euros (with Real Madrid and Portugal)," Xavi told reporters at a football exhibition in Amsterdam, Netherlands, as translated by ESPN FC.

"But I also think that it'll be very competitive, because Messi will be there, of course."

The encouraging words come after the pair were involved in a war of words earlier this season - Xavi inadvertently struck a nerve when he claimed Ronaldo could not compare to Messi before the Portuguese star criticised his move to Qatar.