'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#4 Winning four Ballons d'Or in a row
Messi mesmerized every football fan when he announced himself on the world stage before winning his first Ballon d'Or in 2009. However, little did anyone expect him to lift the precious award for the next three years as well.
Having won the Ballon d'Or 4 times in succession from 2009 to 2012, Messi broke Michel Platini's previous record of winning the accolade in three successive seasons (1983 to 1985).
On the other hand, Ronaldo has twice lifted the award for two consecutive years(2013,2014 and 2016,2017). His claim for a third successive Ballon d'Or was thwarted by Messi himself, who won the award for a record fifth time in 2015.
The Argentinian has been in blistering form once again this season and looks set to provide stiff competition for CR7's bid for a third consecutive Ballon d'Or.
Although Ronaldo has previously stated that he would love to play until he turns 40, it seems nigh impossible for the Real Madrid talisman to break Messi's incredible milestone.
