Ballon d'Or 2019: Top 10 Contenders for the Award at the start of May 2019

Modified May 03, 2019 03:35 GMT

The Ballon d'Or could be back in familiar hands this year

#4 Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Juventus)

Juventus v Club de Atletico Madrid - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg

When Critiano Ronaldo joined Juventus, it was clear that he would be a part of history. True to the expectations, the Portuguese took Italy by storm, lit up the Serie A and helped Juventus to another Serie A title, their 8th in succession. Ronaldo received rave reviews for becoming the first player to win the Premier League, the La Liga and the Serie A during his career. And a Ballon d'Or contender list without him is unimaginable right now.

Since 2011, the Portuguese has never finished outside the top three in the Ballon d'Or final rankings. But this year might see that record being broken. Apart from winning the Serie A, Ronaldo has also won the Supercoppa Italiana with Juventus. However, he has failed to replicate his Champions League form with his new club even though he did give them a taste of his abilities by destroying Atletico Madrid in the round of 16. Juventus were knocked out of the Quarter finals by a youthful Ajax side.

Ronaldo has scored 26 goals from 39 games for Juventus in all competitions this season. He has also accumulated 10 assists so far. However, he has lost ground in the Serie A Golden Boot and European Golden Shoe race due to injuries and lack of form and as such, is 4th among the top contenders for the Ballond d'Or at the start of May.

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Inspired by Diego Maradona, Deepungsu played as an attacking midfielder for his local club at subdivision level in his initial years and scored an important goal or two. However, his all-time favorite footballer is Lionel Messi, and evidently, he feels Argentina's glory in 2022 is his favorite FIFA World Cup moment for fulfilling his long-standing dream. He is also an ardent East Bengal fan.

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Edited by Mustafa Ismail