Two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo says Lionel Messi is "more complete" than Cristiano Ronaldo, and has tipped the Barcelona star to win his fifth Ballon d'Or in January.
The former Brazil, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid legend has been named the world's best player three times in his career.
Messi and his Real rival have shared the prize over the past seven years. Messi holds a slight edge with four wins to Cristiano Ronaldo's three, and the ex-Brazil international Ronaldo says Messi is his pick to win another.
"I choose Messi," Ronaldo told Clarin on Monday.
"I see Messi more complete. He does things in a most spectacular way."
Brazil and Barcelona captain Neymar is the third finalist for the award, which will be announced on Jan. 11 in Zurich.
The vote for the award will be made by the captains and head coaches of each men's national team as well as by international media representatives selected by French publication France Football.
However, Ronaldo's former manager Fabio Capello had some words for his Brazilian charge at Real Madrid, saying the talented striker was a bad influence on the team.
Speaking at the Globe Soccer Awards, Capello said: "Ronaldo, the phenomenon, was the greatest player I have ever coached.
"He showed up [for pre-season] in Madrid and was 96 kg, so I asked him to get to 88-90 kg.
"There was nothing I could do. He was a great player, but a negative influence for the group."