Milan, Dec 06: As Italian sports dailies reported that Ronaldo would be the "most likely" winner of the yearly Golden Ball Award, argentine striker Hernan Crespo - who replaced him at Inter Milan - has said that the Brazilian star definitely deserves the prestigious prize.
"I think that a player who scored eight goals in the World Cup and one in the intercontinental cup (with Real Madrid), definitely deserves this prize," Crespo said yesterday at Inter's training camp.
Crespo, who replaced Ronaldo at inter when the Brazilian decided to transfer to Real Madrid following a feud with Argentine coach Hector Cuper, said two other stars of the Spanish Club, Roberto Carlos and Raul, also had a sensational season.
"Two of the three real stars will not win the Golden Ball, and this is not fair. If I could I would give the prize to all three of them," Crespo added. Bureau Report