Another year, another Ballon d’Or for the best player in soccer (yes — he plays for Madrid NOT Barcelona). This is his fifth time winning the award gifted to the best player in the world, tying him with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (who blew a 4-1 lead in trophies, no big deal). The lifelong debate of who is better is always fun and there is no clear cut evidence but the dominance by the two of these players is unheralded. Take a look at the last 10 winners of the Ballon d’Or.
- 2008: 1st, Cristiano Ronaldo(Manchester United)
- 2009: 1st, Lionel Messi(Barcelona)
- 2010: 2nd, Lionel Messi(Barcelona)
- 2011: 3rd, Lionel Messi(Barcelona)
- 2012: 4th, Lionel Messi(Barcelona)
- 2013: 2nd, Cristiano Ronaldo(Real Madrid)
- 2014: 3rd, Cristiano Ronaldo(Real Madrid)
- 2015: 5th, Lionel Messi(Barcelona)
- 2016: 4th, Cristiano Ronaldo(Real Madrid)
- 2017: 5th, Cristiano Ronaldo(Real Madrid)
Absolutely insane — of course the younger generation (including Neymar) are finally starting to catch up skill wise, but enough can’t be said about these two players. 16% of the Ballon d’Or awards have gone to these two players. Incredible. Cristiano had a great season last year — leading Madrid to their first La Liga title in 5 years and a third Champions League trophy in four years. Ronaldo scored twice in the final against Juventus en route to a 4-1 victory.
Messi and Neymar rounded out the top 3.
Office Chatter 