Ballon d'Or 2019: 3 reasons why Cristiano Ronaldo will finish outside the top 3

#1 Fierce competition for Top 3 positions in the Ballon d'Or race

SD Eibar v FC Barcelona - La Liga

Lionel Messi is no longer the only competition Cristiano Ronaldo has to worry about when it comes to the top individual honour in world football. Kylian Mbappe has played like a man possessed this season, racking up 32 goals in the French Ligue 1, guiding PSG to their second successive Ligue 1 title.

Also in contention will be Liverpool's defensive spearhead and Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk who has made a strong case for consideration after guiding Liverpool into the Champions League finals. Add to this the fact that he has captained a rejuvenated Netherlands side (who were in dire straits after failing to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup) to the UEFA Nations League semi-finals and he perhaps makes a better candidate than even Messi for the title.

This man deserve ballon d'or .❤ pic.twitter.com/jwiycZVdDC

— Barcaholics (@MoviesMissed) May 13, 2019

Lionel Messi, however, remains the favourite for what will be a record 6th Ballon d'Or title. La Pulga rules the roost in both the UEFA Champions League Top Scorer and the European Golden Shoe standings and has already secured a record-equalling 6th Pichichi title (for top scorer of La Liga). He has been the driving force behind Barcelona wrapping up their 8th La Liga title win in the last 11 years as well as reaching the Copa del Rey finals, where they will face Valencia this Saturday. With Mbappe, van Dijk and Messi likely to make up the Ballon d'Or Top 3 for this season, Cristiano Ronaldo in all likelihood will not be present on the podium for the first time since 2010.