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5 Reasons Why Cristiano Ronaldo Should Win the Ballon d’Or

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Reasons Why Cristiano Ronaldo Should Win the Ballon d’Or

FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2013
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Cristiano Ronaldo has put together a better year than the two remaining candidates. FIFA has narrowed down their 23-man shortlist for this year’s Ballon d’Or nominees to the final three men. The list has been narrowed to Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer. Here are five reasons why Ronaldo should win, however, FIFA does have the habit of awarding trophies to undeserving players (e.g. Messi winning the Golden Ball for the WC).

5. 55 goals, 19 assists in 55 appearances

SD Eibar v Real Madrid CF - La Liga
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5. 55 goals, 19 assists in 55 appearances

SD Eibar v Real Madrid CF - La Liga
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Ronaldo and Messi are perennial favorites for the coveted FIFA award. Statistical comparisons show that the Portuguese Peach has put in a better display than his Argentine rival, who scored 52 goals and 21 assists in 62 appearances. Aside from the sensational career records Messi has broken recently, the Barca star has had the inferior year compared to his Real Madrid counterpart.

4. La Decima

Real Madrid v Atletico de Madrid - UEFA Champions League Final
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4. La Decima

Real Madrid v Atletico de Madrid - UEFA Champions League Final
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In terms of team accolades, Ronaldo has overcome both Bayern Munich and Barcelona on their route to lift the Champions League and the Copa del Rey Trophy. In the Champions League, all three players are surrounded by the best players in the world, making it a fair measuring stick for the personal and team achievement.

3. Consistency

FC Basel 1893 v Real Madrid CF - UEFA Champions League
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3. Consistency

FC Basel 1893 v Real Madrid CF - UEFA Champions League
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All three nominees have had great years, but Ronaldo’s performance was a level above Messi and Neuer. Messi could not stay healthy nor lead his team to any glory and has been eclipsed by Ronaldo statistically for the start of this season. Neuer is a great player, but does not compete with the other two. The only reason Neuer is mentioned is because a third had to be named and an outfield player cannot compete with the two monsters in Spain.

2. Single-season scoring record in the UEFA Champions League

FC Bayern Muenchen v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Semi Final
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2. Single-season scoring record in the UEFA Champions League

FC Bayern Muenchen v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Semi Final
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Although Ronaldo has lost the race for the all-time Champions League scoring record, the Ballon d’Or is awarded for the calendar year. The Real Madrid superstar set the single-season scoring record with 17 goals in 13 appearances, but some of those goals were scored in late 2013.

1. Clutch performance for Portugal

FBL-WC2014-SWE-POR
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1. Clutch performance for Portugal

FBL-WC2014-SWE-POR
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The former Manchester United attacker does not have the same quality surrounding him during international duty compared to Messi and Neuer. Ronaldo is called on to do the bulk of the work for his country and that was the case in the World Cup, saving the Portuguese blushes against the U.S.

Yoshiki Matsunaga is a soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter yoshikimat, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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