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#3 Cristiano Ronaldo ends Lionel Messi's four-year Ballon d'Or stranglehold (2013)
It was a tough choice ranking Cristiano Ronaldo's 2013 Ballon d'Or win above his one in 2017. However, as he ended Lionel Messi's four-year stranglehold in the Ballon d'Or award in 2013, his triumph that year ranks higher.
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Real Madrid endured a tumultuous and heart-breaking campaign despite their talisman putting up astronomical numbers on the board. They reached the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League for the third consecutive year, but fell 4-3 to Borussia Dortmund.
Los Blancos also had a memorable run in the Copa del Rey, defeating Barcelona to set up a mouth-watering final with city rivals Atletico Madrid. However, they came up short in that game.
They also finished second in La Liga to Barcelona to round off a tough season. Madrid were close to winning four trophies, but walked away with just one - the Supercopa de Espana - which they won on away goals against Barcelona.
Nevertheless, Ronaldo ended the season as Real Madrid's top scorer in the league with 34 strikes. He was also their top scorer across competitions that season with 55 goals.
For his performances and goalscoring exploits, Ronaldo won the Pichichi trophy, the European Golden Shoe and La Liga Best Player award. And, of course, he won the coveted Ballon d'Or award. He also bagged 13 assists in 55 games across competitions that season.
Although that was not enough to win silverware for Real Madrid, Ronaldo showed that he could maintain his level no matter the competition or opponent. That speaks volumes about his killer instinct and winning mentality.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo wins his fourth Ballon d'Or award (2016)
In 2016, Cristiano Ronaldo was a beast for club and country. Real Madrid were without Iker Casillas for the first time since the 1998-99 season after the custodian's move to FC Porto. However, that did not seem to deter Los Blancos from achieving their goals.
Madrid won their first Champions League title in over a decade in 2014. They now looked to cement their place at the top of Europe's premier football competition. Ronaldo took the onus upon himself to deliver that for Real Madrid, showing he meant business in the 2015-16 season.
During the season, Ronaldo scored 51 goals and provided 15 assists in 48 appearances across competitions. He was Real Madrid's top scorer in La Liga as well as in all competitions that campaign. In the Champions League, he racked up 16 goals and four assists in just 12 games that season. He played a key role as Real Madrid won the competition for the second time in three years.
He was also crucial in Portugal's triumphant Euro 2016 campaign, scoring three and setting up as many goals. Arsenal defender and Ronaldo's Portugal teammate Cedric described that triumph as something that would last for a lifetime.
Such was his impact for club and country that Ronaldo fully deserved the Ballon d'Or award that year.
#1 Ronaldo wins his third Ballon d'Or award (2014)
The 2013-14 season was Cristiano Ronaldo's best in terms of output. He won the La Decima - Real Madrid's tenth Champions League title, where he played a key role.
In 47 appearances across competitions that season, Ronaldo netted 51 goals and provided 17 assists. He scored a record 17 goals in the Champions League. He was Real Madrid's top scorer in La Liga with 31 goals, as well as overall top scorer with 51 goals across competitions.
Real Madrid finished third in La Liga, albeit on goal difference. But they won the Champions League and the Copa del Rey, winning the latter competition in remarkable fashion against Barcelona. Gareth Bale scored an incredible winning goal in a game where Ronaldo was ruled out.
That season, Cristiano Ronaldo awakened a sleeping giant in Real Madrid by bringing them back into business in the UEFA Champions League. In the process, he set himself and his team up for more success in the competition. Little did he know that the team's exploits in 2014 would turn around their fortunes for the better.
