The last two decades were mostly dominated by the greatest football players that ever lived - Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, as they got older, and moved to leagues that are not so competitive, their odds of winning Ballon d'Or have split so much that they are not even named in the top 10 players of the world according to FIFA. But, some hard-core fans are still hoping that they can clinch one more even in the twilight of their careers. Let’s explore their odds and chances.
Current Form and Recent Achievements
Lionel Messi, now plays for Inter Miami, a football team that is co-owned by former Manchester United and Real Madrid player David Beckham. Messi’s last Ballon d'Or came recently in 2023, thanks to his maestral performance in the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar where he led Argentina to glory and was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. Many saw the Messi's move to MLS as a downgrade and only there for the cash. However, thanks to his performance Inter Miami secured their first-ever Leagues Cup title.
Cristiano Ronaldo, on the other hand, has started a tsunami in the Saudi Pro League. Once he moved to Al Nassr many prominent players from Europe joined him so the league increased the quality of the league by dozens. Despite his age, Ronaldo's fitness and goal-scoring prowess still remain at a world class level. His impressive form was shown recently with his winning goal and clenching his 900th goal of his career against Scotland. On club level, he recently helped Al Nassr win the Arab Club Champions Cup. Despite his current form and physicality at the age of 40, his chances of winning another Ballon d'Or are slim because of the lower profile of the Saudi league compared to Europe's top leagues.
Training and Physical Conditioning
Both players maintain rigorous training routines to stay at the top of their game. Messi's workouts focus on speed and agility, incorporating exercises like lunges, hurdle hops, and acceleration drills. His diet, designed by Italian nutritionist Giuliano Poser, emphasizes whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables.
Ronaldo's training regime is equally intense, focusing on body strength and cardiovascular fitness. He incorporates exercises like barbell squats, box jumps, and sprints. Ronaldo's diet is high in protein, with a significant intake of fish and vegetables, and he avoids sugar.
Odds and Betting Insights
For the first time in nearly a decade both Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo are in the list of potential Ballon d’Or winners. According to the best crypto sports bookies in Canada , Real Madrid player Vinicius Jr leads the way with 4/9 chances to win the Ballon d'Or, followed by Rodri 2/1, Jude Bellingham with 20/1 and Dani Carvajal with 25/1 odds.
The odds for winning the Ballon d'Or often fluctuate based on players' performances and achievements. In the cases of the two GOATs, Messi's recent World Cup triumph and his continued influence in MLS make him a strong future contender for future Ballon d'Or awards - only if he manages to win another big international tournament. Ronaldo, while still a formidable player, faces even tougher chances to win the league due to the lower visibility of the Saudi Pro League and his lower chances to win a big international cup with Portugal like Messi did with Argentina. However, never write off Ronaldo, his consistent goal-scoring and physical fitness will surely make him a possible Ballon d'Or winner in the future, for one last time.
Conclusion
The potential of Messi and Ronaldo to win another Ballon d'Or is still there. One last song of both players could make us really enjoy watching international football. Maybe they are not faster and stronger like they were in the past, their experience and class is permanent. In the end, the football world will always watch these two legends in their twilight football years, as they prove that age is just a number.