And that's Ballon d'Or #4 in Cristiano Ronaldo's trophy cabinet! The Real Madrid superstar faced a lot of criticism and many argued why Leo Messi, Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann deserved to win the Ballon d'Or ahead of him.
But in the end, the most deserving player won it and justice was done. Messi might have more goals, Suarez might have a better goal scoring ratio, Girezmann might have played for a slightly weaker team but Ronaldo had all this covered. It's not about one or two things, it's about his performance as a whole throughout the year.
If you still think Ronaldo should not have won the Ballon d'Or, here are 5 reasons why he was the only candidate who deserved it:
#1 - Won important trophies
Messi and Suarez won the La Liga title and also the Copa Del Rey while Ronaldo won the Champions League and EURO 2016. Griezmann meanwhile, won nothing last season with Atletico Madrid and France.
Of course, Ronaldo has won the same numbers of trophies as Messi and Suarez but then ask yourself, which trophy has more 'value' - La Liga or the Champions League? Copa Del Rey or EURO 2016? Ronaldo has won the 2 prestigious trophies and thus deserves it.
I don't think there is an argument as to why Ronaldo should not be given a heads up in the race for the Ballon d'Or!
#2 - Leadership skills
One thing that Ronaldo has over the other 3 candidates is leadership skills. Messi is a great player, Suarez is a brilliant striker and Griezmann is skilful. However, Ronaldo is a mixture of all three qualities.
On top of having all the skills possessed by the other 3, Ronaldo also is a good leader. We clearly saw that during the Euro 2016 final and have seen it several times on the pitch.
He inspired the Portuguese players from the touchline after he went off injured and his presence there was very important for the players.
#3 - Importance of goals and assists
Messi might have more goals and assists than Ronaldo but what we need to look at is how important they were. Scoring and assisting is important but how much percentage of it was crucial.
Neymar and Suarez were there with Messi while for Ronaldo he only had Gareth Bale. Benzema was not up to his best last season and Ronaldo had to take up the additional responsibility.
Even at Portugal, Ronaldo was there when his team needed him the most. His two goals in the group stage set them rolling and then he played a brilliant role in guiding the team forward.
Some important contributions:
1) Ronaldo's hat-trick against Wolfsburg was the reason Real made it to the next level.
2) Two goals and an assist against Hungary when Portugal were on the verge of elimination
3) A Goal and assist in the semi-final against Wales.
#4 - UEFA Best Player of the Year
Ronaldo has already been awarded the UEFA Best player of the year for 2016. And no one can actually argue why he can win that and not the Ballon d'Or!
The FIFA version of the Ballon d'Or had the coaches and captains of national teams voting for their favourite players but this one has the journalists with the voting power. Journalistic bias naturally will occur, but this season, it would be difficult for anyone to not vote for Ronaldo.
Journalists were the ones who voted for the UEFA Best Player of the Year and they are also the ones voting for the Ballon d'Or. Why would anyone change their vote when Ronaldo's Real Madrid are in top form and are on top of the league?
#5 - Unmatched determination
Ronaldo's determination to prove his critics wrong in beyond anyone. He goes to any extent to become the best and he achieves it more often than not.
His managers have revealed several times how he puts in extra effort while training and pushes himself to do the impossible. He's got it all but still wants to keep improving and there is no one who's able to match him.
Messi is a natural while Suarez and Griezmann are hard-working talents. But what sets Ronaldo apart from the other two is how he converts all that on the pitch and proves his worth when his team needs him and wins the trophies that matter most!
