Fergie believes that the Portugal international is yet to reach his peak.
Ferguson told France-Football: “I told him ‘Bravo, well done’ and we shook hands.”
“We are very proud. Manchester United have been waiting for that for 40 years.
“Cristiano follows our three previous Ballon d’Or winners – [George] Best, [Denis] Law and [Bobby] Charlton.
“Nobody can question Ronaldo’s Ballon d’Or. There is no debate, as he was the best player in 2008.
“His performances, displays and goals make him the number 1. He is only 23 and the best is to come for him, in two or three seasons’ time.
“In life you have two categories of people. The ones that reach their targets and go to bed telling themselves ‘I did it’.
“And you have the other ones, filled with motivation, and once they have won the trophy they say ‘I go on’. Some of us have this desire until the age of 70 or 80.
“I am not saying Ronaldo will play until he turns that age, but he has this flame inside of him.”
