Ranking the top 5 favorites for the 2019 Ballon d'Or

#3 Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus / Portugal)

Cristiano Ronaldo

With five Ballon d'Or wins, Cristiano Ronaldo is the joint-most successful player in the history of the awards. But that has not stopped his quest for adding to his impressive tally.

In keeping with his unparalleled drive and motivation, the Portuguese international left the comforts and familiarity of Real Madrid and LaLiga for a new challenge with Juventus in the summer of 2018 despite having turned 33 earlier in the year.

With the Bianconeri, the Madeira native won the requisite Serie A title but fell short elsewhere, much to the disappointment of fans of the club. Their elimination from the Champions League was particularly gut-wrenching.

It was for his Champions League performances that he was signed to end Juventus' long wait for European glory. But despite falling short, Ronaldo still did his utmost and put in one of the all-time great individual performances when he scored a hat-trick to help eliminate Atletico Madrid.

There was also success on the international scene, with the former Manchester United man scoring a 53rd career hat-trick to help fire Portugal to a maiden UEFA Nations League title. Another hat-trick followed in September as Portugal thumped Lithuania in the qualification series for Euro 2020.

So far this season, Ronaldo has scored five goals and assisted once as Juventus seek to make it nine domestic titles on the trot.