Back in January when anyone was asked about the contenders for Ballon D'Or 2016...everyone had just two names on their mouth. First of the Argentine wizard , the 5 time winner of the Ballon D'Or 'Lionel Messi' and second of his Uruguayan team-mate 'Luis Suarez' who had earned his spot through his fine goal scoring form. It was a shock that people had removed Messi's counter part 'Cristiano Ronaldo' from the Ballon D'Or top 3. But Football is very unpredictable and is full of surprises and in just over these recent few months of time period Cristiano Ronaldo is being tipped to lift the Ballon D'Or 2016 for the 4th time.

It all began when 10-men Real Madrid were able to beat FC Barcelona 2-1 with Cristiano grabbing the winner in the dying minutes of the match. Messi and Co. started looking vulnerable and Real Madrid under Zidane kept on growing stronger. Real Madrid eventually went on to win the Champions League by beating their City rivals Atletico Madrid in the finals. It won't be wrong to say that Cristiano and Co. found their goalscoring boots just at the right time and Cristiano sealed his place in top 3 of the Ballon D'Or.

Then started the international matches, this was the only stage where Messi and Cristiano both had failed to win any silverware. Messi always came close and was determined to break his bad luck in the Copa America this year whereas Cristiano knew that this was his best chance to win any silverware with his national team. Winner of this year's Ballon D'Or was all set to be determined by their performance with their national team. Messi started off his Copa America journey very brightly scoring and assisting his teammates for fun. Once again Messi was able to drive his team to another final. Everyone knew that if Messi won the tournament then it would win the Ballon D'Or once. But unfortunately the little magician had to taste defeat once again. This time he was heartbroken and he even decided to initially announce his retirement from national team.

Cristiano on the other hand had different story in Euro, Portugal were lucky not to be eliminated in group stages and Cristiano was struggling to score, though he did show up when his team wanted him the most against 3-3 draw against Hungary scoring 2 and assisting 1. It won't be wrong to say that Portugal rode some of their luck, but it did not matter as they reached the Finals seeing off Wales in the semi final in which Cristiano was again on target. Ronaldo was destined to shined in Euro's finals and lift a silverware with his national team. But Ronaldo was forced to leave the pitch on 24th minute after he was Payet. Thanks to Cristiano's inspirational talk at the  half time and in the extra time,Portugal were able to beat hosts France in Extra time and become the European Champions.

Just on the basis of international performance people believe that Cristiano will win the Ballon D'Or and that the only guy who can give competition to him would be 'Griezmann' and not 'Messi'.

Looks like Cristiano is dtermined to win atleast 5 Ballon D'Ors to equal Messi's record. We are really lucky to see such great talents of football playing on the same stage. Instead of debating on who is better and comparing everyone should just sit back and watch the  two magicians play.