Cristiano Ronaldo's first season in Italy has been a success.There were a number of doubts surrounding his move from Real Madrid to Juventus last summer.Was Ronaldo too old? Could he do it in a different league? Would he still be one of the best players in the world?Ronaldo well and truly answered those questions this campaign.Despite Serie A being one of the toughest leagues in Europe to score in, Ronaldo managed 21 goals as he was named the league's most valuable player.

His goals propelled Juventus to the Serie A title and the Supercoppa Italiana.

But, despite his success, he isn't considered to be the front-runner for the Ballon d'Or.

Instead, the early favourite is Lionel Messi.

Messi has scored 50 goals this season and, although the award will be given out in seven months time, many think he's already deserving of winning his sixth Ballon d'Or.

Kylian Mbappe and Jose Mourinho are just two high profile names that have shared that opinion.

But Ronaldo is receiving support himself.

Tim Cahill, formerly of Everton and Australia's top scorer, thinks Ronaldo has shown he deserves to win the Ballon d'Or.

"The reason why I say Ronaldo, I know people won't agree, is because of what he's done in Juventus," Cahill told Alkass Sport, per Goal.

"He left Real Madrid, went there and had such a massive impact on another league. I've never seen another player do it at Man United, Madrid for so many years.

"And I know he didn't win the Champions League but he has such an impact in any club. If you can take players and put them somewhere at his age...

"I know people won't agree, I just appreciate his professionalism."

(Watch him make the comments at 2:30 in the video below)

Former Juventus player, Medhi Benatia, has also come out in support of Ronaldo in recent weeks.

“Ronaldo? He deserves to win the Ballon d’or according to me. We first have to wait and see who wins the UCL,” Medhi Benatia said, per FoxSportsAsia.

“Messi? He had an incredible season. He would deserve it too but with Liverpool beating Barcelona, I think this reduced his chances.”