Manuel Pellegrini has stated it was clear from his first day as Real Madrid coach Cristiano Ronaldo would go on to become a club legend.

Ronaldo, in his first season in Spain following his move from Manchester United, managed 33 goals in all competitions despite missing several weeks with an ankle injury.

Pellegrini claimed it was clear from his first day that Ronaldo would develop into one of the club's all-time greats, and believes only Lionel Messi can stop him claiming the Ballon d'Or again this year.

"I had no doubt that he would become what he is today," he said. "One of the great things we did was to get 96 points in a campaign with Cristiano injured for three months.

"I think it [the Ballon d'Or] has to be between Cristiano and Messi because they are the only ones who have made a difference. You can't compare them."

Pellegrini, who took charge at Hebei China Fortune in August after leaving Manchester City, says he could be tempted to go back to Spain and would not rule out interest in the Barcelona job.

"I would be happy to go back to Spain at the right moment," he added. "There's nobody who wouldn't like to coach there [at Barca], but for now I'm focused on China."