Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti says he cannot see Lionel Messi beating Cristiano Ronaldo to the Ballon d'Or.
The attacking stars have shared the previous seven editions of football's top individual prize and both were named on the 23-man shortlist for the 2014 award in October.
Messi beat Ronaldo in the race to draw level with Raul's all-time Champions League goalscoring record this week, but Ancelotti does not believe the Barcelona ace will beat either the Portugal captain or one of Germany's World Cup-winning heroes to the trophy.
"Ronaldo has done everything to win it. Then there could be Germany players because they won the World Cup. I don't see other players who can be on the list," he told a press conference.
Ronaldo claimed earlier this week that he sees the same qualities in himself with which club icon Alfredo Di Stefano was blessed, and Ancelotti believes this gives him the motivation to become even better in the future.
"Ronaldo believes he is Di Stefano's heir. He has this image, it's a very great compliment," he added.
"Everyone knows what he meant, and to have this image gives him great belief for the future. He deserves it."
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