Cristiano Ronaldo's decision to leave Real Madrid for Juventus "should be appreciated", Andre Villas-Boas said as the Marseille coach backed the star to win the Ballon d'Or.
Barcelona star Lionel Messi is tipped to win the award for a record sixth time in Paris on Monday, while Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk is also among the contenders to take home the prize.
Messi's candidacy comes on the heels of a La Liga-winning campaign, although the Argentine's Barcelona were beaten in the Champions League semi-finals by Van Dijk's Liverpool.