As he walked up to collect his second Ballon d’Or award, a different Cristiano Ronaldo stepped onto the podium from what we are used to.
The emotion that he showed resembled somebody that overcame severe frustration and hopelessness, the tears that flowed down his face were simply tears of pride and relief.
Messi’s dominance over the last four years is very well justified but Ronaldo over that time pushed him to always perform at his very best. Their personal rivalry has provided each of them motivation to be the best, and without each other they would not have achieved the feats they have over the last few years.
No matter what people say, an individual award as prestigious as this, to be named the world’s best player, is important. Ronaldo clearly cares about his legacy.
In seasons past he played bridesmaid to Leo Messi feeling almost hard done by in a couple of occasions which left him with a grudge to a point of boycotting the awards.
Though 2013 showed a different Cristiano, a more mature Cristiano and a Cristiano that looked determined.
He enjoyed his best year yet in 2013 bagging 66 goals in 56 games. His consistency through that year was shown in all kinds of games both big and routine, often scoring the goals that made the difference.
This form that he showed that year is something that was matched by a mere handful through history. At 28, some may argue that his best years are already behind him, but he just keeps improving.
For somebody that has achieved it all in club football it is sometimes difficult to find motivation, but perhaps his personal battle to step out of Messi’s shadow is what pushes him year by year to play his best.
There is nothing wrong with that.
You hear time and time again that competition breeds success and nothing can motivate a player more than a rival, especially when they feel hard done by.
He may not have won as many titles as Franck Ribery but it would have been an injustice if Ronaldo did not win this award.
The Ballon d’Or is the award given annually to the player who is considered to have performed the best in the previous year.
It is awarded based on votes by coaches and captains of international teams, as well as journalists from around the world. Statistically and on the pitch Ronaldo had the best year, no question.
The fact that Messi placed second consolidates that this indeed is judged on individual prowess, for there is no doubt that Ribery enjoyed a more successful season with his trophy haul, but the Ballon d’Or again is an individual award.
In the end Ribery was part of a star studded team, and so is Messi.
Ronaldo is a player that both his club and country rely on far more. He consistently delivers for them
It is sometimes described as a popularity contest and that’s a fair assumption.
The way Ronaldo has turned his attitude and professionalism around has proven a major catalyst for his win.
Last year showed a more humble Cristiano both on and off the pitch staying off the gossip pages of the newspapers and instead headlining the back pages.
The emotion he showed during his acceptance speech with his son along with him portrayed what that award truly meant to him, for his ego and for his legacy.
It shows that hard work and belief does pay off and will give him a renewed vigour to finish off the season on a high with Madrid and heading into the World Cup for Portugal. Well done Cristiano, much deserved.
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