5 Reasons why Cristiano Ronaldo will win the Player of the Century Award ahead of Messi

#4 Ronaldo has proven himself in three of Europe's top leagues

Ronaldo has been at the top of his game since joining Juventus.

For any footballer, consistency and the ability to win trophies for his club is of paramount importance. Now, if someone like Ronaldo could do it with three different clubs, who have different styles of play, the achievement of staying on the top of the game becomes even more commendable.

Lionel Messi has done some unimaginable things in his time with Barcelona and deserves all the credit in the world. But, what Ronaldo did in 2018, to venture out in search of a new challenge at the age of 33 years when he was Real Madrid's undisputed Galactico, has helped enhance his image.

𝟕𝟓𝟎 goals, 𝟕𝟓𝟎 happy moments, 𝟕𝟓𝟎 smiles in the faces of our supporters. Thank you to all the players and coaches that helped me reach this amazing number, thank you to all my loyal opponents that made me work harder and harder everyday. pic.twitter.com/ZuS4GDOzeh

— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) December 2, 2020

No matter the pedigree of a player, settling into a new team is never an easy task, but that's something that has come naturally to the Portuguese superstar and in his two seasons with I Bianconeri he has already become their most important player on the pitch.

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#3 Ronaldo has racked up countless records for club and country

Cristiano Ronaldo has been a consistent goalscorer for Portugal

It is common knowledge that both Ronaldo and Messi have been breaking records left and right over the last few years. Their hard work and sheer hunger to be the best has driven them to heights no one before had fathomed.

It is beyond the scope of this article to list their records here, but we would like to mention a few of Ronaldo's unique records that make him stand out -

1. First European player to reach 100 international goals
2. The first player to score 50 goals in the Premier League, Liga and Serie A
3. Only active player to reach 750 career goals, fourth overall.
4. The first player to 400 wins in Europe this century.
5. Top goalscorer and assist provider in the Champions League (130 & 41)
6. The only player to score in three UEFA Champions League finals.

As evident from the list, he has been prolific in every competition he has taken part in, no matter whether it's for a club or his national side. By virtue of Messi's long connection with The Blaugrana he has almost all goalscoring records in the La Liga to his name but lags slightly behind his right-footed adversary in the Champions League and international stage.

Cristiano Ronaldo: Holds a record for Man United Holds a record for Real Madrid Holds a record for Juventus. Holds a record for Portugal. Holds a premier league record. Holds a La liga record. Holds a Serie A record. Holds multiple CL records. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/ALsHwWbyzG

— TeamCRonaldo (@TeamCRonaldo) August 7, 2020

Not to discount the other nominees' talents but the stats make it clear that Ronaldo has a highly diversified records tally than his rivals. His exploits on the pitch since the turn of the century will probably never be reproduced.

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