Real Madrid and France centre-back Raphaël Varane deserves to win the Ballon d’Or according to ex-Uefa president Michel Platini.
The award has regularly gone to a footballer who plays a more attacking role on the pitch but this year, Platini feels Varane is the most deserving of the prize.
Varane was part of the Real Madrid side who won their fourth Champions League title in just five years last season, defeating Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool 3-1 in the final in May, before sealing a World Cup winners’ medal with France over the summer.
Platini – who won the award three years in a row from 1983-1985 – spoke about the qualities of Varane and how he has his support to win the Ballon d’Or.
“There has never been an easier decision on who should win the Ballon d’Or,” said Platini on France’s RMC radio (via AS).
“There is only one player [last season] that has won the European Cup and World Cup. Normally there is a debate between Ronaldo or Messi, Messi or Ronaldo, but this year only one player has won all that. His name is Varane, and besides that, he is an excellent player… very, very good.
“Results are the only the objective factor.
“You can have your opinions about Griezmann, Mbappé… but the only one that has won it all, the two most important competitions, is Raphael Varane.”
If Varane wins the Ballon d’Or, it will be the first time a player other than Barcelona’s Lionel Messi or former Real Madrid turned Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo would win the award since 2007, when Brazilian playmaker Kaka got his hands on the prize following his fantastic season with Serie A side AC Milan.
It would also be the first time a defender has won the award since World Cup-winning Italian Fabio Cannavaro claimed the award back in 2006.
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