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Regarded as one of the best players to have graced the game, Cristiano Ronaldo has an enviable trophy cabinet.
The Portugal international is one of the most decorated players of all time. He has enjoyed phenomenal success at three European giants - Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus - en route to winning five Ballon d'Or awards.
Five things Cristiano Ronaldo needs to do to win the 2021 Ballon d'Or award:
Cristiano Ronaldo won his most recent Ballon d'Or award in 2017. Following the emergence of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Braut Haaland, as well as the continued excellent form of Robert Lewandowski, it is often perceived that Cristiano Ronaldo has won his last Ballon d'Or award.
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However, going by his exploits this season, Cristiano Ronaldo is far from a finished article. On that note, let's look at five things Cristiano Ronaldo needs to do to win the 2021 Ballon d'Or award.
#1 End the 2020-21 Serie A campaign as the top scorer
After facing a shock elimination from the UEFA Champions League in the Round of 16, Juventus and Cristiano Ronaldo's only realistic hope of silverware this season is the Serie A.
With 23 goals in 24 games, Cristiano Ronaldo is the top scorer in the Serie A this season. Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku, Atalanta's Luis Muriel, AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Lazio's Ciro Immobile round up the top five.
The 36-year old has been a consistent goalscorer in Italy. But he is yet to win the Capocannoniere award (top scorer in a Serie A season).
If Ronaldo accomplishes the same this campaign, he will bolster his hopes of winning the 2021 Ballon d'Or award.
#2 Win the European Golden Boot
The European Golden Boot is awarded to the player with the most goals in league games in the European top divisions. The league coefficients are also taken into account while assigning the points.
Bayern Munich superstar Robert Lewandowski is currently leading the race for this year's European Golden Boot. The Poland international has scored 35 league goals in just 25 games. Lazio's Ciro Immobile was the most recent recipient of the award.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are level on points in this season's Golden Boot race but are a distant second to Lewandowski. Ronaldo has scored 23 goals in 24 league games this season, accumulating 46 points, while Lewandowski has 70.
However, Lewandowski's recent injury gives Cristiano Ronaldo a chance to catch up with the Polish striker.
Winning the European Golden Boot could prove to be crucial for the 2021 Ballon d'Or, with the Bayern Munich striker currently in pole position to win the prestigious award this year.
Also Read: Top 5 defensive midfielders in the world this season (2020-21)
#3 Win the Player of the Tournament at the Euros
Five years after winning the Euros for Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo will once again lead his nation's charge at the quadrennial tournament this season.
However, the forward missed most of the Euro 16 final against France due to injury. France's Antoine Griezmann was crowned the Best Player of the Tournament, while Cristiano Ronaldo ended the tournament with three goals and three assists.
Cristiano Ronaldo will once again be a key player for Portugal in the Euros. He will be one of the first names on the team sheet for manager Fernando Santos.
If he wins the Player of the Tournament this time, that will enhance his chances of winning the 2021 Ballon d'Or award.
#4 Win the Serie A title
Juventus have not enjoyed the best of seasons in 2020-21. They are third in the Serie A table, 10 points behind runaway leaders Inter Milan.
Clawing back this deficit would be a tall task for Juventus, as it would require an extraordinary collapse from Antonio Conte's Nerazzurri.
Nevertheless, if Juventus and Cristiano Ronaldo manage to win this season's Serie A, it would be an incredible achievement.
While Inter Milan deserve to be where they are in the league table and their implosion looks like an improbable proposition, all hope is not lost for Juventus and Cristiano Ronaldo.
#5 Win the Euros
Winning the Euros once again with Portugal this summer would surely make Cristiano Ronaldo one of the favourites for the 2021 Ballon d'Or award.
Portugal arguably have a more talented set of players than they had in France five years ago. The likes of Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes, Atletico Madrid's Joao Felix and Manchester City's Ruben Dias have all flourished at club level and would be key players for Portugal at the Euros. The Selecao look well-stocked in every position.
However, they are in a 'group of death' with Germany and France, with Hungary, the other team in their section. Emerging unscathed from this group would be a huge achievement for the defending champions.
If Portugal win the Euros this summer, Cristiano Ronaldo could be well on his way to claim his sixth Ballon d'Or award and go level with Lionel Messi.
Also Read: Top 5 centre-backs in the world this season (2020-21).
