Like his great rival Lionel Messi, Al-Nassr forward Ronaldo was left off the 30-man shortlist for the most prestigious individual award in football in 2024. It is the first time since 2003 that neither one of them has been among the candidates. 

Ronaldo has given his support to Mbappe, who came third in the voting last year, behind Messi and Haaland. Mbappe scored 44 goals and gave 10 assists in all contests last season with PSG, before finishing his highly anticipated move to Real Madrid. Ronaldo, who has scored 450 goals for Los Blancos, is Madrid's all-time leading scorer. He thinks that everything at the Santiago Bernabeu is set up to help Mbappe succeed.

"I think he will do well. The structure of the club... it's nice, it's good," Ronaldo said on his YouTube channel.

"They have a great coach and the president, Florentino [Perez], who has been there many, many years. 

"I think it won't be a big problem because of his talent. Mbappe can be the next Ballon d'Or winner. Him, [Erling] Haaland, [Jude] Bellingham or Lamine [Yamal]."

Madrid won their record-extending 15th European Cup/Champions League crown last season, coming through dramatic ties against Manchester City and Bayern Munich before beating Borussia Dortmund in the final.

Their knockout success has led some to suggest fortune tends to favour them in the big moments, but Ronaldo says they make their own luck.

"Madrid is the kind of team where they don't rush under pressure. People say they're lucky in the Champions League," he said.

"No, they are not lucky. They're prepared for this kind of moment. The Bernabeu has that different aura.

"Now, if you say that Madrid are going to be better or not, we don't know. Mbappe is there now, I think Madrid will stay strong, but I don't know if they will be better than last year. Only God knows."