Cristiano Ronaldo won the Champions League
and the European Championships
After Cristiano Ronaldo beat Lionel Messi to the
2016 Ballon d'Or award, we examine the reasons
why he was a deserving winner…
When Lionel Messi won four consecutive Ballon
d'Or awards between 2009 and 2012, it was
tempting to wonder whether Cristiano Ronaldo
could ever wrestle the crown back from him. The
Real Madrid star seemed to be stuck behind his
rival, but four years on, he is the one with his grip
on the prize.
Ronaldo's latest triumph was the fourth Ballon
d'Or of his career. Having won none in the
previous four years, he has now claimed three of
the last four. The former Manchester United
forward turns 32 in February, but recent history
shows it would be unwise to bet against him
matching Messi's tally next year.
Ronaldo keeps finding ways to win. His
blockbuster new Real Madrid contract will keep
him at the Bernabeu until 2021, and when he
says he plans to play into his 40s, you can be
sure he means it. Ronaldo's dedication and
determination are second to none.
There will be those who argue that Messi was a
more deserving winner this year. The raw
statistics show that the Argentine has scored 58
goals and claimed 32 assists in 61 appearances
for club and country, compared to Ronaldo's 51
goals and 17 assists in 55 appearances.
The extraordinary numbers give Messi the edge,
but they do not tell the story of 2016. Messi may
have helped Barcelona pip Real Madrid to La Liga
and Copa del Rey success, but Ronaldo claimed
the bigger prizes. By winning the Champions
League and the European Championship, his
achievements bridged club and country. This was
his year.
Madrid's Champions League campaign might
have been enough on its own. After setting a new
record with 11 group-stage goals, Ronaldo netted
in each leg of their last-16 meeting
with Roma and rescued his side single-handedly
in the quarter-finals. Zinedine Zidane's men
needed three goals after a 2-0 first leg defeat by
Wolfsburg. Ronaldo scored them all.
With a poacher's finish, a towering header and a
pinpoint free kick, the hat-trick highlighted the
breadth of his ability. "What can I say about
Cristiano Ronaldo?" said Zidane afterwards. "He
has shown again that he is the best player in the
world."
Ronaldo did not perform at his best in the final
against Atletico Madrid in Milan, but even then
the decisive moment fell to him. His winning
penalty in the shootout was struck with the utter
conviction of a player who thrives on the biggest
stage. Madrid celebrated a record-breaking 11th
Champions League win. Ronaldo's shirtless
celebration was the defining image.
Ronaldo lifts the European Championship trophy
Helping his country to Euro 2016 glory in France
was an even more impressive achievement.
Portugal went into the tournament as 20/1
outsiders with what looked like one of their
weakest squads in years, but with Ronaldo
wearing the captain's armband, they defied the
odds to win the first major trophy in their history.
Ronaldo was Portugal's semi-final match-winner
with his goal and assist against Wales, but his
influence was even more profound off the pitch
than on it. Ronaldo may have a reputation as the
ultimate individualist, but he showed a new side
to his character in France.
He could be seen geeing up team-mates before
their penalty shootout victory over Poland in the
quarter-finals, and he was an inspirational figure
after injury forced him out of the final. Ronaldo
left the pitch in tears that night, but his response
was to offer as much encouragement as he could
from the sidelines. "Football is not about 11 on
the field," he said. "It is so much more than that."
"We were missing our leader, but he did not fail
to support his colleagues," said team-mate
Ricardo Quaresma. "At a time when he was in so
much pain, he was jumping around and pushing
everyone on." Portugal coach Fernando Santos
was similarly impressed. "Our captain put in an
immense effort," he said. "He has amazing
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