The race for the 2023 Ballon d’OR have longed started with players already putting up big performances. Cristiano Ronaldo is one player who should not be written off despite playing far in Saudi Arabia, he could end up winning the award another time.
Cristiano Ronaldo have won Ballon d’OR five times, the most only behind Lionel Messi who have won the award seven times. After clocking 38, the Portuguese who was believed to be worn-out in football is taking the Saudi Pro League by storm and might just be on the line to compete with footballers in Europe on the big stage.
Since his arrival in Riyadh, Ronaldo have found his long lost form and is now tearing the league apart, scoring two hat-tricks in three games. A continuation in this run would see Ronaldo break many records in the Saudi Arabia and win some more silverwares, hence becoming a strong contender for Ballon d’OR win.
Here are 3 reasons Ronaldo could win 2023 Ballon d’OR
1. Goals and trophies
Ronaldo without doubt will be one of the top-scorer in Saudi Pro League, the Portuguese is only 5 goals from being the leading top scorer in the league despite just joining the team in December. Aside becoming the top-scorer in Saudi League, it is widely believed that Ronaldo would be able to break Lionel Messi’s 91 goals in a calendar year record, a feet that would surely make him a strong contender for the prestigious award.
Winning silverwares like the league and some domestic league would also a be a boost for Cristiano Ronaldo. Al Nassr are the league leaders and that would be a boost for him.
2. National team reinvolvement
Roberto Martinez was named the Portugal national team’s head coach in January. He took over for Fernando Santos, who in his latter months appeared to have stopped depending on Ronaldo as the team’s leading scorer.
Ronaldo was benched by Santos in favor of more youthful and potent forwards. But, with Martinez’s addition, Ronaldo may find new life in the Portuguese national team. His leadership abilities would be greatly appreciated in the locker room, and young players could learn a lot from him.
Ronaldo’s improved performance will probably get him back on the national squad. Ronaldo will once again be considered as one of the game’s top center-forwards if he can maintain this form on the international stage. He can use this to support his candidacy for the 2023 Ballon d’Or.
3. Messi, Mbappe and Haaland having a poor year
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are already seen as the top contenders for the 2023 Ballon d’Or. Any of them keeping up with the form they are already on.
Within the period stipulated for the calculation of Ballon d’OR, Lionel Messi have won the World Cup with Argentina, becoming the best player of the competition. Kylian Mbappe had a stellar World Cup also, scoring a hat-trick in the final and emerging the competition’s top scorer. Both Messi and Mbappe are topping the league with their club team PSG, Mbappe is on the race to be Ligue 1 top scorer and Messi is unarguably the most creative, leading in assist and chances created.
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Erling Haaland have wowed the world of football since he joined Manchester City in the Premier League. Haaland have broken lots of goal records in the league already and it’s believed, he would break even more. His personal achievements with Manchester City added to his club achievements would make him a strong contender for Ballon d’OR and disadvantage Cristiano Ronaldo.
A drop of form by these three players would give Ronaldo a big edge in becoming a possible Ballon d’OR winner in 2023.
