Real Madrid manager Zidane feels Portuguese striker will win coveted award again after his hat-trick sealed a 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Saturday
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates a goal against Atletico de Madrid on Saturday
Madrid: Zinedine Zidane feels Cristiano Ronaldo is certain to win the Ballon d'Or award again after his derby treble tightened Real Madrid's grip on La Liga. Ronaldo claimed his 39th career hat-trick as Real thrashed city neighbours Atletico Madrid 3-0 at their Estadio Vicente Calderon home on Saturday night.
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The victory gave Real a four-point lead over Barcelona, who were held 0-0 by Malaga, and puts them nine points clear of Atletico.
Ronaldo faces tough fight
And Real boss Zidane praised match-winner Ronaldo after the game, insisting he is destined to repeat his world player of the year triumphs of 2008, 2013 and 2014.
Lionel Messi is a five-time winner and again figures among the 2016 nominees, along with his Barcelona teammates Neymar and Luis Suarez, and Ronaldo's Real colleague Gareth Bale.
Zinedine Zidane. Pics/AFP, Getty Images
"I've never had any doubts that Cristiano is the best. Tonight ends that debate, the Ballon d'Or will be for him. I had no doubt, and it is not the three goals he scored that will make me change my mind. He demonstrated it all last season, he demonstrates it every time. We expect a lot from him, but he is above everyone else," Zidane said.
Real were without injured midfield pair Toni Kroos and Casemiro. But Real were dominant throughout and extended their unbeaten run to 29 games since losing to Atletico in February. "I do not know if it's our best match (of the season) but we did a huge game against a tough opponent," Zidane said.
"We managed the game well and we started strong. I'm happy with the way we played. Few teams are capable of coming here and winning 3-0," he added. "We put the necessary intensity against a difficult opponent who always complicates the task on his ground," he said.
Troubles mount for Atletico
Diego Simeone's Atletico have now lost three of their last four games in falling off the title pace. Trailing to Ronaldo's deflected 23rd-minute free-kick, Atletico were on top at the start of the second half and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco and Antoine Griezmann went close to equalising.
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