'%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)
What's the story?
The 2017 Ballon d'Or is scheduled to be held on Thursday and according to latest reports from The Sun and various agencies in Spain, Cristiano Ronaldo is all set to beat his great rival, Lionel Messi and claim his 5th Ballon d'Or award.
Not only that, the reports also claim that the Portuguese superstar will be handed the award by French legend David Ginola on top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. As has been the case since 2009, this year's Ballon d'Or award also had the duo of Ronaldo and Messi as favourites to claim the top prize. It now seems that Ronaldo on the back of his stunning performances for Madrid at the latter half of last season has bagged the prestigious individual award.
In case you didn't know...
Ronaldo has had an indifferent start to the season, while Messi has been absolutely stunning so far. This had led many to believe that the Argentine ace could win his 6th Ballon d'Or. However, the Portuguese superstar stepped up when it mattered the most last season and it seems that his performances in the Champions League have swung the result in his favour.
The Ballon d'Or award is held by France Football and the award is decided based on the votes of 30 top sports journalists across the world.
Also read: Top 5 active La Liga goal scorers
The heart of the matter
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are undoubtedly the two greatest footballers of our generation. Since 2009, the duo have dominated the Ballon d'Or awards with Messi claiming 5 and Ronaldo winning 4. The duopoly is all set to continue on Thursday with Ronaldo all but confirmed as the winner.
Zidane will be hoping that the award helps Ronaldo rediscover his best form and contribute heavily to Madrid's success once again.
Video
We are so lucky to be alive in the era of Messi and Ronaldo!
Author's take
Messi might have clearly been the better player this season, but there is no denying the fact that Ronaldo showed his class when it mattered the most. For his performances in the Champions League and the latter stages of La Liga, Ronaldo definitely deserves to win the 2017 Ballon d'Or award.
Also read: Paul Pogba names his favourite 'number 7' in Manchester United history
