Ancelotti: Ronaldo has to win Ballon d'Or

The Italian threw his support behind the Portuguese after watching his side beat Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in a friendly on Thursday

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti says Cristiano Ronaldo has to win the Ballon d'Or and revealed he expects Xabi Alonso to sign a new contract with the club.

Madrid ran out 1-0 winners over Paris Saint-Germain in a friendly in Qatar on Thursday, thanks to Jese Rodriguez's 18th minute strike.

And the Italian used his post-match press conference to throw his weight of support behind Ronaldo, while discussing the respective futures of Alonso and Iker Casillas.

Bale plays better without Ronaldo - Villas-Boas

The former Tottenham boss feels the Wales international is only able to play his best football without the Portugal captain on the pitch - the player he says has been 2013's best

Former Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas feels Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has performed far better this season without Cristiano Ronaldo in the side.

The 24-year-old delivered some exceptional displays for los Blancos after initially struggling for fitness following his €100 million summer move, notching nine goals and six assists in 15 games in all competitions prior to the winter break.

Queiroz: Ronaldo was destined to become the Michael Jordan of football

The former Manchester United assistant has stressed that the attacker's success does not surprise him and expects the Madrid man to make a big impact at the World Cup

Former Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz believes Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo was destined to become one of the best players in the history of the game from a young age.

Queiroz - who is now Iran national team coach - coached Ronaldo during his time in charge of Portugal between 2008 and 2010 and also worked with the prolific attacker during his two spells as assistant manager to Alex Ferguson at Manchester United before his compatriot left for Real in 2009.

“Paris Saint Germain Were Desperate To Sign Cristiano Ronaldo” – Leonardo

Paris Saint Germain were more than keen to secure the signature of the Portuguese ace Cristiano Ronaldo who is enjoying a record breaking end to the year.

Leonardo, the former sporting director of Paris Saint Germain has revealed in an exclusive interview with French program Telefoot that the club tried everything within their limits to lure Cristiano Ronaldo away from the Santiago Bernebeau only to be left empty handed in his efforts. The winger enjoyed a scintillating first half of the season, scoring 25 times in just 18 appearences and eclipsing Frank  Ribery and Lionel Messi to emerge as the favourite for the Ballon D’Or.

'Cristiano Ronaldo is above the rest' - Real Madrid's Marcelo says there is no comparison despite Gareth Bale hat-trick

Real Madrid left-back Marcelo is refusing to compare Gareth Bale with Ballon d'Or favourite Cristiano Ronaldo after the Welshman bagged a perfect hat-trick on Saturday.

Bale starred in Saturday’s 4-0 La Liga victory at home to 17-placed Real Valladolid, but Marcelo said: "There is no need to compare them, Cristiano is above the rest of the players and everyone in the team knows that.”

Gareth Bale praises Cristiano Ronaldo and other team-mates after first Real Madrid hat-trick

The former Tottenham man was in scintillating form as he put Valladolid to the sword with three goals and a brilliant assist.

Real Madrid star Gareth Bale was full of praise for his teammates following his first hat-trick for the Spanish giants, while reiterating his belief that Cristiano Ronaldo is the world's greatest.

The world's most expensive player scored three times as Los Blancos beat Real Valladolid 4-0, while his exquisite pass picked out Karim Benzema for Madrid's other goal.

Ribery 'disappointed' with Sakho Ballon d'Or snub

The Bayern Munich star admitted his frustration that his compatriot publicly stated he would vote for Cristiano Ronaldo to win the prestigious award.

Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery revealed he was "disappointed" by Mamadou Sakho's declaration that he would back Cristiano Ronaldo to be crowned Ballon d'Or winner.

Ribery was instrumental in die Roten's unprecedented treble last season and recently helped France to the 2014 World Cup by impressing in a 3-2 aggregate play-off win against Ukraine.

Messi: Ronaldo will be good for World Cup

Lionel Messi says despite the current hype around Cristiano Ronaldo, he has been “playing well for years”.

Ronaldo was pivotal to Portugal’s qualification for Brazil 2014, scoring all four goals in a 4-2 aggregate victory over Sweden last week.

The two superstars are both in line for the Ballon d'Or, and have been pitted against each other in the media recently, after Fifa president Sepp Blatter revealed – supposedly as a joke – that he prefers the Argentine.

Cristiano Ronaldo helps Portugal get leg up in World Cup playoff

He scores in the 82nd minute on a diving header for a 1-0 victory over Sweden. France's chances of qualifying for World Cup take a hit in 2-0 loss to Ukraine.

Cristiano Ronaldo upstaged Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the battle of the superstar forwards to give Portugal the edge over Sweden in the World Cup playoffs, while France's chances of qualifying took a big hit by losing, 2-0, in Ukraine.

Ronaldo transferred his prolific scoring form for Real Madrid to the international stage, diving to head home an 82nd-minute winner and give Portugal a 1-0 cushion to take to Stockholm for Tuesday's second leg.

Bento insists Portugal will avoid defensive approach

Paulo Bento insists Portugal will not employ a defensive mentality in their FIFA World Cup play-off second leg in Sweden.

Cristiano Ronaldo once again proved the difference for Portugal on Friday as he stooped to head home Miguel Veloso's teasing cross in the 82nd minute to earn Bento's side a 1-0 win in the first leg in Lisbon.

The pre-match build up was dominated by which Ballon d'Or contender - Ronaldo or Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic - would come to the fore, and it was the Real Madrid star who put his stamp on the match.