The intrigue surrounding the Ballon d’Or has reached feverish heights since 2008, with two names predominantly etching their legacy on this prestigious trophy – Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. This era started when Ronaldo clinched his first Ballon d’Or in 2008, and the floodgates of a rivalry, unparalleled in its intensity, swung wide open.
The Ballon d’Or Saga: Messi vs Ronaldo
The Ballon d’Or accolades were nearly monopolized by Messi and Ronaldo, with the pair sharing 12 of the 13 awards during this period. This era commenced with Ronaldo’s triumph in 2008, marking the beginning of a decade-long back-and-forth between the two, each year’s ceremony awaited with bated breath as fans worldwide were keen to see who would prevail.
Their thrilling rivalry played out over the course of the following 13 years, leading up to 2023. This year holds particular significance as it marks the first time in a staggering 19 years that Cristiano Ronaldo’s name is notably missing from the prestigious nominee’s list, signifying a monumental shift in the landscape of the Ballon d’Or.
2008: Ronaldo
1st – Ronaldo, 2nd – Messi, 3rd – Fernando Torres
Ronaldo’s majestic form for Manchester United earned him his first Ballon d’Or, nudging ahead of Messi who had begun to weave his magic at Barcelona, while Torres’ exploits with Liverpool also received notable recognition.
2009: Messi
1st – Messi, 2nd – Cristiano Ronaldo, 3rd – Xavi
Messi dazzled the footballing realm, securing his maiden Ballon d’Or, as Ronaldo, now a galactico at Real Madrid, settled for second, and Barcelona’s midfield maestro Xavi clinched the third spot.
2010: Messi
1st – Messi, 2nd – Andrés Iniesta, 3rd – Xavi
Messi’s magic continued to mesmerise, clinching the top spot once more, while his Barcelona teammates, Iniesta and Xavi, who were instrumental in Spain’s World Cup triumph, secured the next two spots.
2011: Messi
1st – Messi, 2nd – Cristiano Ronaldo, 3rd – Xavi
Messi reigned supreme for a third consecutive year, Ronaldo kept chasing, and the ever-consistent Xavi once again found himself in the top three.
2012: Messi
1st – Messi, 2nd – Cristiano Ronaldo, 3rd – Andrés Iniesta
Messi’s footballing alchemy bagged him a fourth consecutive Ballon d’Or, as Ronaldo and Iniesta trailed in the subsequent spots.
2013: Ronaldo
1st – Ronaldo, 2nd – Lionel Messi, 3rd – Franck Ribéry
Ronaldo reclaimed the coveted prize this year, halting Messi’s streak, while Ribéry’s brilliant season with Bayern Munich earned him a place in the top three.
2014: Ronaldo
1st – Ronaldo, 2nd – Lionel Messi, 3rd – Manuel Neuer
Ronaldo retained the title, Messi was the runner-up, and Germany’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Neuer secured a well-deserved third place.
2015: Messi
1st – Messi, 2nd – Cristiano Ronaldo, 3rd – Neymar
Messi was back at the pinnacle, with Ronaldo and Barcelona’s rising star Neymar completing the trio.
2016: Ronaldo
1st – Ronaldo, 2nd – Lionel Messi, 3rd – Antoine Griezmann
Ronaldo’s heroics in the Euro 2016 propelled him to the top, as Messi and France’s Griezmann followed.
2017: Ronaldo
1st – Ronaldo, 2nd – Lionel Messi, 3rd – Neymar
Ronaldo clinched his fifth Ballon d’Or, with Messi in close pursuit, and Neymar earning another top-three finish.
2018: Modric
1st – Luka Modric, 2nd – Cristiano Ronaldo, 3rd – Antoine Griezmann
Modric’s mesmerizing midfield mastery was duly recognized, breaking the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly, with Ronaldo and Griezmann taking the next spots.
2019: Messi
1st – Messi, 2nd – Virgil van Dijk, 3rd – Cristiano Ronaldo
Messi secured his sixth Ballon d’Or, Van Dijk’s defensive prowess was acknowledged, and Ronaldo added another top-three finish to his tally.
2020: (Cancelled due to COVID-19)
2021: Messi
1st Messi, 2nd Robert Lewandowski, 3rd Jorginho
Messi clinched his seventh Ballon d’Or, following a remarkable season, further enhancing his illustrious legacy. Robert Lewandowski secured a close second, showcasing his goal-scoring prowess, while Jorginho bagged the third spot, encapsulating his pivotal role in Chelsea’s and Italy’s notable successes.
Messi secured his first Ballon d’Or in 2009, heralding the start of a four-year reign. Ronaldo, not to be outdone, clinched the title in 2013 and 2014, only for Messi to retake it in 2015. This playful snatch-back continued till 2017, post which Luka Modric momentarily disrupted the duopoly in 2018.
Contrasting Styles, Same Goal
Their rivalry was not just a personal quest for glory; it mirrored the age-old debate of natural talent versus hard work, with Messi often hailed for his innate footballing ability and Ronaldo revered for his relentless work ethic. The Ballon d’Or became a symbol of this rivalry, a yearly adjudication of this ongoing debate that had audiences split down the middle but glued to the screen.
An Era Unmatched
Their quest for the Ballon d’Or mirrored their teams’ ambitions too. With Messi at Barcelona and Ronaldo at Real Madrid, and later Juventus, the trophy seemed to have found a home in either Catalonia or Turin. The duo’s pursuit of the Ballon d’Or was synonymous with their teams’ pursuit of glory, both domestically and in Europe. The world watched, year after year, as they not only vied for club trophies but also the title of the world’s best player.
The era of Messi and Ronaldo was a showcase of footballing excellence, their rivalry pushing each other to greater heights. Their Ballon d’Or tally, Messi with 7 and Ronaldo with 5, encapsulates a rivalry that has enriched the modern football era like no other
This epoch of football history, marked by Messi and Ronaldo’s quest for the Ballon d’Or, displayed an unparalleled level of competition and excellence, leaving a legacy that will be reminisced and discussed for generations to come.
The Break in Duopoly: Luka Modric’s Win
In 2018, the world saw a brief break in this duopoly when Luka Modric, the Croatian maestro, etched his name on the trophy, reminding the football world that the Messi-Ronaldo era wouldn’t last forever. This was a year of underdogs, as Modric led his national team to a World Cup Final and his club to a third consecutive Champions League title.
Ballon d’Or 2022: Benzema Breaks Through
Karim Benzema’s triumph in 2022 marked another break from the Messi-Ronaldo saga. His victory signaled a possible shift, opening the gates for other football stars to lay claim to the prestigious award.
Messi’s 2023 Ballon d’Or Bid
The football realm is on tenterhooks as the Ballon d’Or 2023 looms, with Messi once more among the crème de la crème, especially after his splendid spell in the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Despite a 2022 Ballon d’Or nomination miss, the maestro is back in the limelight, thanks to his pivotal role in clinching Argentina’s long-awaited World Cup victory after 36 grueling years, etching the coveted third star on the nation’s crest.
Step back in time: Relive Argentina’s World Cup odyssey:
The October 30 ceremony isn’t just a routine affair; it holds the promise of appending an eighth Ballon d’Or to Messi’s dazzling array of accolades, a feat that would not only further enshrine his legendary status but also hallmark a career crowned with every glittering prize the beautiful game has to offer.
Discover his prospects of securing a victory:
Delve into his accomplishments donned in the Messi Argentina jersey through the comprehensive tale of the 2022 World Cup journey:
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