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In football, there is no individual award that is as decorated as the Ballon d'Or. This is why you see some of the finest footballers fighting every season in order to gain dominance and win the prestigious accolade.
Many players have won the award in the past, but it is the Real Madrid talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo that claimed it last. The attacker won the accolade following his incredible performances last season, in which he led the Los Blancos to claim both the Champions League trophy and the La Liga title.
After being named the World Best Player for the last term, the Portuguese has taken his game to another level, with a raft of spectacular displays this season. He has bagged an incredible 15 goals and 3 assists to lead his team to their third consecutive Champions League final, as well as breaking many incredible records and earning fantastic achievements in the European tournament.
He also recorded 26 goals and 5 assists to his name in La Liga, maintaining his reputation as one of the deadliest attackers in Europe this season.
However, life is not straight and everything changes. Despite being the favourite to claim the accolade this year, there is still a chance that he might end up not winning it at all. Unprecedented events and unexpected occurrences still possess the power to deprive him of the award at this stage of the season.
Therefore, let us consider 3 instances that might hinder the Portuguese from winning the Ballon d'Or this year:
#3 A Defeat In The Champions League Final
While Ronaldo has received many plaudits for his amazing performances in the Champions League this season, we shouldn't be carried away because the Champions League mission is far from over. The Portuguese still has a big task ahead in the tournament as all eyes will be on him to deliver in the final of the competition, which will take place on May 26.
A defeat in that match will be a great threat to his Ballon d'Or hopes. After failing to lead his club to La Liga title and the Copa Del Rey trophy, the Champions League represents his only hope of winning silverware for the Los Blancos this season.
Everyone knows the role that trophies play in determining the Ballon d'Or winner. If Ronaldo fails to win the Champions League, it means that he would have no trophy at club level to present as credentials for the prestigious award. And that could be a serious threat to his ambitions.
#2 Lionel Messi Winning The World Cup
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the finest players in the world at the moment. They have been the most dominant footballers for the past 10 years, creating an amazing duopoly on top of the football world and sharing the last 10 Ballon d'Or awards between them (5 apiece). In fact, the award has been a two-horse race between these amazing superstars who have dominated it for the past few years.
While Ronaldo has been brilliant this season, his eternal rival has also had a very great campaign. The Argentine led Barcelona to claim both the La Liga title and the Copa Del Rey trophy. He also bagged 6 goals and 2 assists in the Champions League as well as 34 goals and 10 assists in the Spanish top.
Both superstars will be representing their respective nations in the World Cup next month. This could be a great opportunity for Lionel Messi to deal Ronaldo a huge blow in the Ballon d'Or race.
With his achievements at club level this season, if the Argentine succeeds in winning the World Cup for his nation, he will definitely settle the Ballon d'Or race and claim it one more time. He went really close in 2014, leading the Albiceleste to the final of the tournament before suffering defeat in the extra-time. Therefore, his success in the competition will be a great threat to Ronaldo's Ballon d'Or mission this year.
#1 Injury At The Decisive Moments
Health is wealth, people say. A footballer can fight for the Ballon d'Or award only when he is fit. Ronaldo would not have performed at such incredible level this season if he had experienced severe fitness issues.
Life is full of surprises and unexpected occurrences. Despite his incredible performances for the Los Blancos this season, what will happen to Ronaldo if he goes on a 2-month injury, starting within the next four days?
It means that the Portuguese would be missing the most important games of the season, including the Champions League final and the FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia. These are the decisive moments of the campaign. Missing these particular games can be the worst experience the Portuguese can ever think of.
