Cristiano Ronaldo gears up for Argentina showdown at Old Trafford as Carvalho reveals Portugal team-mate will pip Lionel Messi to the Ballon D’Or

CR7 warms up ahead of the clash with his biggest rival Lionel Messi at Old Trafford

Real Madrid superstar and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo is 'almost perfect' and it would be a rude shock to Portugal if he didn't clinch the Ballon d'Or .

That's the standpoint of Ricardo Carvalho, who dislodged any thought that the Real Madrid man could be beaten to the award by Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo lines up against the Barcelona forward at Old Trafford on Tuesday ahead of a crowd which could hit 50,000. 

CR7 trains alongside his Portugal team-mates at his former football club's ground-Old Trafford

'There is no reason why not,' said Carvalho when asked about Ronaldo's chances in the World Player of the Year competition. 'He's never stopped wanting to win, and there is no reason for him not to win it for a third time. 

'It's normal to speak about them [Messi and Ronaldo] but it's Portugal against Argentina'

'Everyone expects Ronaldo to win the Ballon d'Or. We're so proud of him - he's improving all the small details.

Cristiano Ronaldo braves the cold in Manchester, England

'He's making so many goals and wants more and more - even in training. Next is to break the records for himself. He's almost perfect. It's difficult to say what he's missing.

But the Portuguese defender did admit that it would still be a tough ask facing Messi and co on Tuesday night.

Carvalho says CR7 is ahead of Messi in the race for the Ballon D'Or title

'We have to play well - they are what they are. We know all about them, finalists in the World Cup and have players who can decide a match in the spur of the moment.

'We recognise we didn't start well [in Euro 2016 qualifying] but we have improved game by game. We are growing.'