Ballon d'Or: 3 reasons why Lionel Messi is already the firm favourite to win the award

#3 No Competition

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Over the last decade or so, the rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi dominated the individual awards. Both the greats has won five Ballon d'Ors each, among many other notable accolades throughout their glittering career.

But since Ronaldo's move to Serie A last summer, the Portuguese talisman is quite a few steps behind Messi. He is 10 goals behind Messi considering the exploits in respective leagues and 15 goals behind in all competition, scoring 24 goals for Juventus throughout the 2018/19 season as compared to Messi's 39 so far.

Lionel Messi has scored or assisted a goal once every 53 minutes on average this season.37 games. 39 goals. 18 assists.Out of this world. 👽 pic.twitter.com/58vRzxw8DY

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 17, 2019

Ronaldo turned 34 this February - 3 years older than Messi - and being in a defensive league means he will get less goal scoring chances than the Barcelona talisman.

Kylian Mbappe remains the closest player to catch Messi with 25 goals in Ligue 1 but with PSG out of the Champions League so early, it is less likely that he will be able to match the 31-year-old Argentine.