CRISTIANO RONALDO is turning it on when it matters most — just like last year.
After a dismal start to the campaign, which yielded one La Liga one goal before November 25, he is now battling to become the top goalscorer in Spain.
But it was the same story last season.
Granted, his start was slightly better, but his goal rush came in the early part of 2017, with doubles and hat-tricks helping Real Madrid secure the Spanish title and bringing Champions League glory to the Bernabeu.
And of course, a fifth Ballon d’Or title.
The Champions League final was in May — not even at the halfway point of the calendar year — and he endured a dismal end to 2017.
Lionel Messi on the other hand, scored 19 goals in the same period Ronaldo scored one in late 2017, but because the Real Madrid superstar had already done the business when it mattered, the Ballon d’Or had already been decided.
So why on earth is the coveted prize an annual award, when the first five months of the year are all that is important?
Ronaldo and Messi are the two greatest footballers of all-time. What they keep on producing year-in-year-out is astonishing.
They continue to drive each other on and the two deserve to win the Ballon d’Or every season. Once again, it will go to one of them.
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But, if Real Madrid win the Champions League or Portugal impress at the World Cup, it’s Ronaldo’s.
Even if he doesn’t set foot on the pitch for the remainder of 2018, the 2018 Ballon d’Or award will go to him for the work he has done between January and May.
And the same goes for Messi, should Barcelona or Argentina triumph.
Surely the design of the award needs looking at.
Multiple Ballon d'Or winners
FIVE
Lionel Messi: Barcelona — 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015
Cristiano Ronaldo: Manchester United, Real Madrid — 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017
THREE
Johan Cruyff: Ajax, Barcelona — 1971, 1973, 1974
Michel Platini: Juventus — 1983, 1984, 1985
Marco van Basten, AC Milan — 1988, 1989, 1992
TWO
Alfredo Di Stefano: Real Madrid — 1957, 1959
Franz Beckenbauer: Bayern Munich — 1972, 1976
Kevin Keegan, Hamburg — 1978, 1979
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: Bayern Munich — 1980, 1981
Ronaldo: Inter Milan, Real Madrid — 1997, 2002
Ronaldo is simply working the system. His profile, personality and sensational talent mean he will be in the reckoning for the award no matter what happens.
His sheer number of goals in 2018 has been absolutely phenomenal.
Four last night against Girona make it 17 in his last eight and 41 in all competitions for club and country this season.
There’s no doubt the only reason Real Madrid are even in contention to win the Champions League is down to Ronaldo.
His goals win titles every term, and it’s right he wins player of the season awards.
But the Ballon d’Or is not given out each campaign — and it needs to recognise all 12 months of the year.
Otherwise, the award just becomes meaningless.
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