After leading his team to Champions League glory in the 2015-16 season, Cristiano Ronaldo could be facing the most crucial 18 months of his career, starting with the Euro final.
In the wake of Lionel Messi’s sudden international retirement, Ronaldo and his Portuguese teammates have marched their way to the 2016 European Champion final looking to avenge their 2004 heartbreak.
Despite suffering a slow start to the tournament, Ronaldo burst into life in their final group match, scoring twice and assisting once to see his side scrape through.
With three goals and three assist, he leads the tournament in combined goals and assists. His semi-final goal was his ninth in his fourth Euro tournament, putting him equal first in the history of the competition.
Already assured of his place in European history, all that is needed to secure his status as possible the greatest of all time would be to lift the trophy.
Along with the pride Ronaldo gets from representing his country, his strong showing in the tournament could put him in pole place to win his fourth Ballon d’Or.
After another strong domestic season, scoring 35 goals in 36 league appearances and 16 goals in 12 UCL appearances, he finished third in the European Golden Shoe.
The man who is seen as his greatest competition, Golden Shoe winner Luis Suarez, had another successful season, finishing as La Liga’s top goal scorer, guiding his side to the league and domestic cup titles.
Despite his success, injury largely prevented Suarez from competing in the Copa America, meaning that Ronaldo’s Euro successes could tip the Ballon d’Or in his favour.
The summer after the 2016-17 campaign is set to be a quiet one internationally, with only the Confederations Cup taking place, so the race for the 2016-17 Ballon d’Or will be solely contested on domestic success.
Having broken the 50-goal barrier for the past six seasons, there is no doubting that Ronaldo’s individual performances will once again put him in contention, but to be guaranteed another golden ball, Real Madrid will need to share in his successes.
Current holder Messi won his record fifth d’Or off the back of a treble winning season with Barcelona and it is this level of success that Ronaldo and Madrid will aim for next season.
Coming off one of his most heavily criticised seasons and nearer to the end of his career then the start, the next 18 months will play a significant role in what will become of his legacy.
Already the first and only player to score in four Euro finals tournaments, a goal in the final will see him as the overall, outright leading goal scorer, a feat unlikely to be matched soon.
A win in the final would give him the ultimate one up on arch rival Messi in the form of an international trophy. These successes would surely see him win his fourth Ballon d’Or, moving him once again closer to Messi.
Finishing the 2016-17 season with another 50+ goal haul, and at least one of the league title, domestic cup or Champions League would again see him favourite to win his record equaling fifth Ballon d’Or, taking him from great of the game, to arguably the greatest of all time.
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
lol, lol, is there a sign, hanging on your neck saying; 'Space to rent in my cranium'..?
langerthebronco
Guest
ZIZOU is the GREATEST..
MarkfromCroydon
Guest
Roy of the Rovers. nuff said.
Kaks
Roar Guru
No, it' is quite obvious. Messi is head and shoulders above every single footballer who ever played in the Modern era.
Midfielder
Guest
Just as an out of left comment. A mate about 18 months ago tried to determine the top say 25 players of all time and then do some stats with them. Out of his work [he did it for himself] he said in 2000 FIFA did there big count and there were 290 million registered Football players in the world and thats not counting in the park for fun pick up games. Post 2000 there has been an explosion especially in Asian playing numbers as well as Africa plus the US [where he says Football is the number one sport having taken over Basketball in player numbers] ... but he estimates and research he read sorts says today over 400 million. His point was when we measure our best 25 players we are talking the best in arguably over two billion player since say 1950. Even to be mentioned in this class is a huge thing.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Messi is the greatest of this era. He beats Ronaldo is nearly all aspects. Not by a huge margin but the difference is clear enough. Ronaldo has a better aerial game and obviously the better athlete. Ronaldo can also claim to have played for 3 different clubs and done well in 2 leagues. Not that Messi needs to prove anything. Also give Ronaldo credit for his work with Portugal. Two remarkable footballers and always a joy to watch.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Agree Ronaldinho, amazing skills if not a prolific goal scorer. In a similar vein Neymar could be the next to emerge, and initially has Messie and Suarez (brain snaps aside doesn't do too bad with goal scoring either over his career) alongside at Barcelona.
Griffo
Roar Guru
:-D Nice one Mid
Midfielder
Guest
Agree on your Ibrahimovich post as well as Ronaldinho whose top flight career finished just when the M & R were hitting their straps.
Midfielder
Guest
Maradonna was good Pele was Better But George was Best
Griffo
Roar Guru
This is always an interesting debate. :evil: It's often put up that winning a world cup earns you huge brownie points in the 'best of the best' award. Neither Ronaldo or Messie come close then compared to a number of players who have been part of world cup winning squads. To me both seem to produce a huge number of goals for their team year after year. While Messie has had more opportunity with Argentina in tournaments, you feel this is Ronaldo's chance to claim something with Portugal, as they are not as big a threat at the World Cup as Argentina. Enjoy them both I say, it is not often two outstanding players are within the game at the same time, in so close an age. I will also add that if not for Ronaldo and Messie, Ibrahimovich may get more recognition than he has. Being older, he is unlikely to rise above the first two, as say Djokovic has with Federer and Nadal in tennis (the only comparision I can think of in sport right now).
Johnno
Guest
The genius of Johan Cruyff better than Ronaldo or Messi. Zidane as well. Pele/Maradonna/Garrincha/Zico.
Midfielder
Guest
Gavin thank you .... I was thinking Robbie Savage
R King
Guest
I wonder what the likes of all of those great footballers from 40 - 50 years ago would be today. Games today are played on 'carpets' with balls that swing and dip so easily that young teenagers can do special 'tricks'. BUT put the likes of CR7 and Messi even Maradonna on pitches with no grass, tackles from behind by giant centre halves and falling down when a defender gets too close to you, and you'd be laughed out of the club. We shouldn't be trying to worry ourselves about who is better than whom, just enjoy the football they produce.
Simoc
Guest
Ronaldo is the best and most entertaining player I've watched. He is superb. It would be nice if Portugal won but fairy tales aren't so common. Hopefully he'll play in Australia again. Fans vote with their feet.
Gavin
Guest
Two words Emile heskey.
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
The greatest footballer ever, was Franz Beckenbauer, and never forget it...!!!!
Brian
Guest
Yes. GOAT imo is a 3 way debate Diego, Messi & Ronaldo. Those who vouch for Pele, Best or Zidane are miles off. Can also hardly comment on Di Stefano that was never seen. If Ronaldo leads Portugal to a title on Sunday he overtakes Messi for me, not sure about Diego.
Punter
Guest
Exactky Mid, there is doubt that Ronlado has a big head & throws tantrums, but he also does a lot good, but he is protrayed by the media in very different light. Very little is discuss on why he has no tats & what he does for the poor. They are different, but they are both very great!!!!
Midfielder
Guest
Ronaldo is portrayed by the media in a certain way... as is Messie... it leads to how we feel about them as a person and that effects many judgements on who is the greatest... For all his bad press, Ronaldo has no tats because he gives blood and if you have tats in Europe you can't give blood. Ronaldo has given a lot to different people who are poor .... not so sure he deserves his all for himself imagine... Messie and the tax man what can you say ... I enjoy watching em both and struggle to separate them .