'%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)
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Two greats of this generation. No era has seen such dominance by a pair of players in football. 10 years. 10 years duopoly of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo winning the Ballon d'Or, the award given to the best player in the world.
Time and time again, throughout the past decade, certain players put up the performance of their lives, making a breakthrough in the world of football. Only to fall short. Leo and Ron have such a stronghold on the award, no one has come close to making a case for winning it, other than these two, over the past decade.
However, times are changing. For the first time in 10 years, it looks like the duopoly will finally be broken. Ron and Leo have had a poor season, by their standards. This is success-wise, not performance only. One can easily argue that winning the Ballon d’Or requires winning trophies, perhaps more than being exceptional on the field.
Here are 4 reasons, why Ron and Leo will finally have to give up the toy they have shared for the past decade-
#1 Dismissal World Cup Campaigns
Lionel Messi for Argentina’s subpar world cup performance. Nevertheless, he was a part of the team which failed to deliver. He missed a crucial penalty in the first match, and couldn’t make much impact in the game against Croatia. He did score a crucial goal against Nigeria in sublime style, but looked far from his usual best. In the last match of their campaign, he tried everything he could, but unfortunately, Argentina were not good enough. Messi Wasn't good enough.
Cristiano Ronaldo might have had a good world cup statistically, but he too was, far from the beast he is for Real Madrid in the UCL. Again, it might be unfair to expect the same performances as Portugal doesn't have the quality Real Madrid has. But for a player with the caliber of Ronaldo, he should have been better.
Ron opened his campaign with a stunning performance. But that's it. In the second match, apart from a great header, Ron looked lackluster. In the third match against Iran, he couldn't do much. A clueless performance in the quarter-finals meant Portugal couldn't manage to beat a clinal and rock solid Uruguay.
Leo and Cristiano are not the sole reason their countries failed to deliver. But they are one of the reasons.
#2 Ronaldo’s move to Juventus
Juventus are an elite team, no doubt. But do they have the quality and motivation Real Madrid have? Ronaldo has been a constant performer for Madrid, due to reliable balls to pounce on. His Chemistry with Marcelo and Benzema has great benefited Real, and Ronaldo.
Juventus may try to replicate the chemistry, and may even be successful in it. However, the harsh truth is, Juventus isn't Real Madrid. Ronaldo’s transfer to a less famous league and a hard start to the UCL campaign could reduce his chances significantly. Moreover, even though Ronaldo is a great player, every player requires time to adapt. Will 5 months before the Ballon d’Or race be enough for Cristiano? Only time will tell.
#3 Embarrassing Exit from the UCL for Leo
Lionel Messi had a sensational domestic campaign, as always. Being the Top scorer of the league, and winner of a domestic double is a magnificent achievement for any player. But for Lionel Messi, it is only satisfactory. Leo’s UCL campaign- Barcelona’s UCL campaign- had a disastrous end.
They were favorites and looked on course for a historic third treble. However, one horror show in Rome was all it took. Barcelona and Messi fell hard. Barcelona couldn't produce anything special, and Lionel Messi missed an opportunity which could have put the tie to bed. This is the third time in a row Barcelona couldn't get past the quarter finals, and the third time in a row their Arch-rivals won the UCL.
That night in Rome will certainly have inflicted deep wounds into Barcelona’s season and Messi chances for the Ballon d’Or.
#4 One Name - Luka Modric
A third UCL in three seasons for this midfield genius. Luka Modric dominated the midfield for Real Madrid this season, putting on glorious performances. With Lionel Messi having a disappointing UCL run, and Ronaldo having left Real Madrid, the stage is set for Luka Modric to make the Ballon d’Or his own.
Club achievements alone aren't the reason Luka may win this. After all, playing for Real Madrid means winning the UCL is an expectation, not an achievement.
What truly has been special is his world cup campaign. Forming a solid partnership with Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic, he had run over the midfield of every team he has faced. His performance against Argentina were glimpses of the Magic he can produce. If the Croatians pull off a huge upset and defeat the mighty Frenchmen, not many people would be willing to bet against Modric from winning the Ballon d’Or.
Maybe the time is just right. Just right for the dominance of Leo and Ron to end. If Luka is the man to do that, the world shouldn’t mind much.
