5 things Cristiano Ronaldo needs to achieve in 2020 to win the Ballon d'Or this December

#1 Win the EURO again with Portugal

Portugal v Spain: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the best players of this generation and probably two of the greatest footballers of all-time have drawn a lot of flak for their lack of trophies at the international level throughout their careers, but with them now getting closer to their retirement ages, the criticism has only gotten worse.

Out of the two, Ronaldo sallvaged himself when he led Portugal to their very first major international title at the EURO 2016 in France. Though he had to withdraw from the final against hosts due to injury, he led from the sidelines like a true leader as they lifted the prestigious trophy.

If A Seleção are to retain their title of the European champions, Ronaldo who has been in red-hot form since the turn of the decade will be the pivotal player for them on the pitch and will become the frontrunner for the Ballon d'Or, in which performance on international duty is also given consideration.

Well, winning a major international trophy is in no way a guarantee for winning the Ballon d'Or. Just take the case of Iniesta and Xavi in 2010, when both won the La Liga with Barcelona and the FIFA World Cup with Spain, but still had to make way for Messi to lift the golden trophy.

Though the Portuguese superstar's form early in the year beckons for him to take home the award this year, of the things listed here, only if he achieves at least three of them over the following months can he be expected to be standing at the podium in December or else he will yet again have to skip the ceremony in favour of the Serie A awards.