Zinedine Zidane: 'Cristiano Ronaldo has closed Ballon d'Or debate'

Ronaldo played as a No 9 at the Vicente Calderon, with Madrid having switched to a new-look 4-4-2 formation, and went on to hit a treble in a 3-0 victory over Atleti just two months before the Ballon d’Or and The Best FIFA Men’s Player were decided.

[MATCH REPORT: Ronaldo hits hat-trick as Real Madrid stun Atletico]

"I don’t know if it was the best, but it was a huge game away to tough opponents, we read the game very well and we went in strongly," the Coach said after the game.

"I’m happy with what we did, it’s not easy and there will be few teams that win here 0-3.

"Ronaldo near the Golden Ball? I never had any doubts that Cristiano was the best and now he has closed the debate."

Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann and Gareth Bale are amongst the contenders for the awards.