#2 Ronaldo equaled Messi's record to become the players with the most Ballon d'Or top-three nominations
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When the 2018 Ballon d'Or rankings were announced on Monday, Messi's move down to fifth place was perhaps one of the most controversial decisions to have been made that night.
However, Messi's ranking served a great purpose for his Portuguese counterpart Ronaldo, who finished in the top three once again.
Ronaldo has now finished in the top three for a record eleven times, thereby equaling Messi's record as the player with the most Ballon d'Or top three nominations.
#3 Ronaldo breaks the record for the longest consecutive Ballon d'Or nomination streak
![FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2014](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/12/dd4ab-15439957324244-800.jpg?w=190 190w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/12/dd4ab-15439957324244-800.jpg?w=720 720w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/12/dd4ab-15439957324244-800.jpg?w=640 640w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/12/dd4ab-15439957324244-800.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/12/dd4ab-15439957324244-800.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/12/dd4ab-15439957324244-800.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/12/dd4ab-15439957324244-800.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/12/dd4ab-15439957324244-800.jpg 1920w)
When France Football announced their thirty-man shortlist months ago, Cristiano Ronaldo broke yet another Ballon d'Or record.
After being included in the shortlist, the Juventus ace became the only player in history to have been nominated for the award 14 consecutive times.
The record sees the former Real Madrid star beating Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, who was nominated for the award for 13 consecutive years.