The Battle for Ballon D’or- Why Ronaldo deserves to win

The Battle for the ultimate prize heats up. With Messi and Ronaldo the leading candidates as usual, 18 Yard Box discusses as to why, despite Messi's stupendous performances last season, its time for Cristiano Ronaldo to have his moment.

It’s the time of the year again when the footballing community discuss the ultimate prize in world football. Every player dreams of winning the trophy but only a handful get their hands on the Ballon D’or trophy or the world’s best footballer award. Like in the past few years, the contenders’ list boils down to the two biggest names in the world viz Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

After a superb El Classico match which saw the 2 maestros score 2 goals each and end the night as equals, it now time to decide the first among equals. Lionel Messi has made it a hat trick of Ballon d’or trophies and left the Portuguese winger empty-handed in the past but Ronaldo has since championed Real Madrid to the La Liga trophy and consequently posed a serious challenge to the Argentine superstar. If there was ever a time Ronaldo deserved to win the top  honor it is now.

C.Ronaldo vs. L.Messi

18 Yard Box carefully scrutinizes the reasons for crowning the Madrid Winger as the best in the 

world.

Midfielder v/s Striker

World's best midfielder vs World's best Forward

In the previous season Ronaldo scored 46 goals as opposed to Messi who managed to outdo him with 50 goals. In the heat of the competition it is often forgotten that the role of a midfielder is to create chances and score if possible. It’s important to understand that Ronaldo’s main job as a winger is to provide Higuain and Benzema with opportunities to score rather than score himself. The very fact that he managed as much as 46 goals which is 24 more than the next highest scorer in the Madrid team is praiseworthy.

International Success

National Team: Limited Success

Their achievements in a Madrid and Barca jersey are there for the world to see but it’s their performance for their respective countries which are quite interesting. This year saw Ronaldo compete in the European championships for Portugal. Under his captaincy Portugal managed to qualify from the ‘group of death’ which featured Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands and reach the semi-finals. Ronaldo himself managed to equal the number of goals scored by eventual Golden Boot winner Fernando Torres. Messi on the other hand has failed to impress for Argentina in any major tournament and the only other notable performance has been his hat-trick against Brazil in a 3-2 win for Argentina.

Conqueror of top 2 leagues in Europe

Another Trophy in the Cabinet

Ronaldo unlike Messi has played for numerous clubs over the years and prospered at Manchester United where he won the Ballon d’or in 2008. He also played in the Portugal League with Sporting Lisbon from where he was scouted by Sir Alex. While comparing the two earlier, the obvious barrier was that Ronaldo played in the Premier League and Messi in La Liga. Following his mega transfer to Real Madrid, Ronaldo has proven once again that he can play in any League in the world and has scored against every team in the La Liga. Messi on the other hand is a one-club wonder. Let alone move from Spain he is hesitant to move from Barcelona. It would be interesting to watch the little master play in England where the game is far more quick and physical than in Spain. Messi against Stoke City has often been the talking point of pro-Ronaldo pundits.

Supporting Players

Every defense's worst nightmare

Many critics have pointed out that Messi struggles to play well without his supporting pillars Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta. But one can also argue that Ronaldo is and was supported by world class players like Benzema, Ozil, Di Maria at Madrid and Rooney and Tevez at Manchester United. But Messi’s inability to play alongside a host of talented players like Tevez, Aguero, and Higuain with the national side clearly helps one appreciate Ronaldo’s ability to adapt to changes in playing styles and partners. It must also be pointed out that Xavi and Iniesta used to be Ballon d'or contenders as well. Having a midfield of that quality surely helps you to shine.

We Are The Champions!!

Champion of Spain

One important factor which has tilted the balance in Messi’s favor over the years has been Barcelona’s ability to win silverware in the form of La Liga and Champions’ League trophies. But his time around, as Jose Mourinho pointed out, Barcelona are no longer Champions of Spain or Europe and don’t deserve the spotlight. Taking his statements with a pinch of salt, Cristiano Ronaldo has won a trophy which Messi has not. Not winning a trophy has cost Ronaldo the award in previous years but losing the award even after winning a trophy will surely dishearten the Portuguese magician.

Done it once. Can he do it again?

With all due respect to Lionel Messi and his achievements all these years, which has been stupendous to say the least, Ballon D'or should be given to the player for his present achievements rather than his past. 18 Yard Box is of the opinion that Ronaldo’s time to reclaim his lost crown has finally come. His arrogance and boastful style of play may not be appeasing to all but none the less he can do what very few players can dream to achieve in their career. So as FIFA will declare the winner at their ceremony at Zurich one can only hope that Ronaldo finally wins the award he thoroughly deserves this time around.

Written By,
Pranav Shenoy

Pranav is an Editor and Writer for 18 Yard Box