'Ronaldo should have come ahead of Messi': Toni Kroos criticises Ballon d'Or ceremony

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos believes Cristiano Ronaldo should have come ahead of Lionel Messi in the voting for the 2021 Ballon d'Or.

Messi won his seventh Heaven Ballon d'Or on Monday, beating Bayern Munich and Poland striker Robert Lewandowski to the prize.

While there was plenty of discussion over whether Lewandowski should have scooped the top award rather than being crowned Striker of the Year, Ronaldo's sixth-place finish did not stir much debate.

However, Ronaldo's former team-mate from Real Madrid, Kroos, has not only argued that the Manchester United forward was better than Messi in 2021, but also thinks Karim Benzema should have won the Ballon d'Or.

"For me, Karim would have been the number one if you were really looking for the best individual player of the last year, because I can see from close quarters what an outstanding footballer he is," Kroos told his official podcast Einfach mal Luppen.

"When I see how many decisive goals Cristiano has scored lately - Manchester United are still in the Champions League thanks to him alone - then, in my eyes, Cristiano would have also come before Messi."

Toni Kroos also added: "It is absolutely undeserved. There is no doubt that Messi, next to Cristiano, has been the player of the last decade, but this year there should have been more behind him."

Ex-Real Madrid goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas wrote on Twitter: "It is increasingly difficult for me to believe in football awards.

"For me, Messi, he is one of the five best players in all of history but you have to know how to list the most outstanding players in a season. It's not that hard."

Messi himself acknowledged that Lewandowski deserved to win a Ballon d'Or award due to his superb scoring form.

The pair finished just 33 votes apart and Messi paid tribute in his speech to Lewandowski, who likely would have won the award last year if it wasn't cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"I think that you deserve your Ballon d'Or," said Messi. "Last year everyone was in agreement that you were the winner and I think that France Football should give you the Ballon d'Or that you deserve, and to have it since you earned it and you won it last year.

"Hopefully, France Football could deliver it to you and you can have it in your home. You were the rightful winner [last year]. It couldn't happen because of the pandemic, but I think you should also have it in your home."