Ricardo Carvalho says: Ronaldo is almost perfect

Ricardo Carvalho hailed Cristiano Ronaldo as an "almost perfect" footballer who deserves to be named the best in the world for a third time.

Real Madrid winger Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or in 2008 and 2013 and his Portugal teammate Carvalho believes the 29-year-old deserves to retain the award.

And he thinks that Ronaldo, who has scored 275 goals in 263 games for Real, is still getting better.

He said in a news conference: "I think he is the best. For us Portuguese, everyone is expecting that Cristiano can win the third Golden Ball.

"We are so proud of him. He is doing a great job during these past six or seven years. He is improving all the small details, making so many goals. He wants always more, even in training. Maybe next he can break his own records. He is looking always to try his best."

Ronaldo, who is Portugal's 52-goal record scorer, helped Real win their 10th Champions League this year, scoring a record 17 goals in a season in the competition, including one in the final against Atletico Madrid.