Ronaldo will win Ballon d'Or, declares Perez

Cristiano Ronaldo is poised to draw level with Lionel Messi in the Ballon d'Or head-to-head stakes, according to Florentino Perez.

Having won The Best FIFA Men's Player award for the second time last month, Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the clear favourites to win the Ballon d'Or.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has declared Cristiano Ronaldo will win the Ballon d'Or ahead of Lionel Messi.

The Portugal star, who won The Best FIFA Men's Player award for the second time last month , is one of the clear favourites for France Football's prize after firing Madrid to LaLiga and Champions League glory this year.

There had been rumours Barcelona forward Lionel Messi will be named the winner on December 7 after images claiming to show him with the trophy on the front cover of the magazine circulated on social media.

However, reports in Spain this weekend suggest Ronaldo has been informed he will win the trophy for a fifth time and has been congratulated by Messi on his achievement.

READ: Ronaldo will win fifth Ballon d'Or and deserves it, says Zidane

And Perez appears to have no doubt the 32-year-old will be successful when the outcome of the vote is announced.

"Ronaldo is one of our great symbols," he told an assembly of Madrid members. "He is the leading goalscorer in our history. A few days ago, he won his second 'The Best' and this week he is going to win his fifth Ballon d'Or."

Ronaldo has struggled for form in LaLiga this season, scoring just twice in nine appearances, and was frustrated again on Saturday as the champion side was held to a 0-0 draw away to Athletic Bilbao .

The result saw Madrid fail to capitalise on Barcelona's 2-2 home draw with Celta Vigo and means it remains eight points behind the leader in fourth place in the table.

But Perez insists head coach Zinedine Zidane is the right man to deliver more success to the club, having guided them to two Champions League wins in a row as well as the domestic title last season.

"We achieved the impossible, regaining the Champions League and winning three in four years. The last one was the best in our history," said Perez.

"We have a team to keep dreaming, with an amazing coach. He is one of our great symbols and icons. He's the best leader for this team."