5 controversial Ballon d'Or winners in recent years

#2 Cristiano Ronaldo (2013)

Cristiano Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or on a controversial note in 2013

The Portuguese ace was handed the honor in 2013 preceding his eternal rival Lionel Messi who finished second followed by Frank Ribery who was edged to the third place. Ronaldo had an incredible goalscoring record compared to the other two but that was his all he had in that year.

The honor could have been given to Frank Ribery who was Bayern Munich's main man as he gave an excellent performance throughout the year leading them to the glorious treble. The Argentinian talisman who came second scored many goals and helped Barcelona win the domestic league with a record-tying 100 points.

The Golden Boot is given to the best goalscorer in Europe, but that is not why the Ballon d'Or is given which made Ribery and Messi more deserving of the honor than Cristiano Ronaldo.