Cristiano Ronaldo: Real Madrid forward 'already has the Ballon d'Or at home' says Roberto Carlos

The 31-year-old has tasted success at both club and international level this year

(Getty)

Cristiano Ronaldo is so confident of winning the Ballon d’Or he may already have the trophy at home, according to Roberto Carlos.

The Real Madrid and Portugal forward has tasted success at both club and international level this year, and scored the decisive penalty in Los Blancos’ Champions League final victory over cross-city rivals Atletico.

Ronaldo went on to captain his country to glory at the European Championships, despite being stretchered off during the first half of the final against France with a knee injury.

The 31-year-old is widely expected to win his third Ballon d’Or in January’s ceremony and Carlos believes it is such a formality, the award may already be sitting on his mantelpiece.

"I think Cristiano Ronaldo already has the Ballon d'Or at home but he just has not told anyone yet," the former Real full-back joked.

"He has taken time to get back to being himself after the knee injury, but from now on he will show us all the Cristiano we all know, just like he played for Portugal.

"I wish him all the luck in the world," he added.

Ronaldo has registered 40 goals and 12 assists in 43 appearances so far this calendar year, with current Ballon d'Or holder Lionel Messi scoring 43 and setting up 28 in 48 games.

Despite his superior individual figures, Messi has endured a relatively difficult year on the pitch and is not expected to challenge Ronaldo for the award.

Messi's Barcelona were eliminated from the Champions League at the quarter-final stage by Atletico and Argentina, his national side, lost in the Copa America final to Chile, with Messi missing a penalty in the decisive shoot-out.