Sportskeeda's list of 50 best players playing currently: 10-1

#3 Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo led his country to the Euro 2016 trophy

It seems ludicrous that the 2016 Ballon D’Or winner ranks third on our list, but there is more criteria to consider and the top two pip the 31-year-old to the post courtesy of other factors than ability. The Portuguese poster boy secured international success for the first time in his career last year when his nation lifted Euro 2016.

His contribution to the triumph is unquestioned – CR7 scored three goals across the seven games, and also making two assists. This season so far, the Real Madrid forward has scored 11 goals in 12 games in the league and remains the most vital component to the Galacticos.

Subject of a £256 million bid from an unnamed Chinese outfit at the end of last month, Ronaldo’s market value and reputation as a player are both unprecedented and known even by non-football fans. Everyone can recall a trademark Ronaldo free-kick or a time where the Portuguese leapt like a salmon to dispatch a cross with his head; his exemplary, copybook style is acknowledged by every football fan across the globe.

Despite having scored more than 270 goals in 248 matches for Real Madrid, a spell-bounding feat, Ronaldo’s team successes are not as plentiful as one might think. That said, he still has two La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League crowns to his name, as well as having broken numerous records from the most expensive player in football history (from 2009-2013) to the most goals scored in the UEFA Champions League.

The latter is a record still being contested by our number two on the list…