Ballon d'Or 2015 Predictions: Why Cristiano Ronaldo is Undisputed Front-Runner

By David Salazar First Posted: Nov 06, 2014 12:25 PM EST

A year ago, Cristiano Ronaldo broke Lionel Messi's streak of four-straight Ballon d'Or awards.

It was actually a rather shocking turnaround as many expected Franck Ribery to finish first after leading Bayern Munich to the treble. Messi had a solid year, but had been struggling with injury, while Ronaldo won no trophies. However, the Portuguese superstar turned things around in a hurry and put together one of the finest finishes to the end of the year. In fact, his performances forced FIFA to alter the voting deadline dates and his four-goal performance against Sweden in the World Cup playoffs solidified him as the front-runner for the spot.

Ronaldo finished the 2013 calendar year with a whopping 69 goals for both club and country, a full 24 ahead of his rival Messi. Has Ronaldo put enough distance from his rival to claim a second straight Ballon d'Or?

High Point

Ronaldo has had a hell of a year. He only has 50 goals in 2014, but that number will undoubtedly climb if he maintains his current form.

So here is a list of Ronaldo's big moments in 2014:

He set a record for most goals scored in the Champions League season with 17, including a goal in the final in Lisbon.

He led the Spanish League with 32 goals in 2013-14.

He won the Copa del Rey with Real Madrid and the Champions League.

He has scored in 12 straight games for Real Madrid.

He has 17 goals in nine Spanish League matches, including three hat tricks. He also scored hat tricks in two straight matches.

He also scored a winner for Portugal in its most recent Euro Cup qualifier against Denmark.

Put frankly, he is the finest goal scorer in the world and it is not even close right now.

Low Point

Despite his terrific form for Real Madrid, there is no doubt that many were disappointed by Ronaldo's play in the World Cup. He was nursing an injury and was largely useless as Portugal failed in the group of death. He assisted on the game-tying goal against the U.S. in the second match and scored the winner against Ghana in a game in which he played his heart out. But he was invisible against Germany in the 4-0 blowout that essentially eliminated his country from the tournament.

He is 29 and that is probably the last time he will get a chance to play in a World Cup at the peak of his powers. Assuming that he has already passed his prime. However, his current form begs to differ and Ronaldo could yet have one last stand on the international stage in 2018 at the age of 33. Time will tell, but the 2014 World Cup will certainly be one Ronaldo wants to put behind him.

Why He Will Win

Because he is the favorite. He is the current holder and his recent form is simply too good to ignore. Who scores 17 goals in nine matches? Not even Messi put up that pace in his best season. At the rate he is scoring, Ronaldo could end the 2014-15 season with close to 80 goals.

Last year he finished 2013 in blazing form, so much that he seized control of the title in the stretch run. He was not the favorite, but his scoring rate shifted the momentum in his favorite. And he did not win a single team trophy in 2013.

He is scoring at an even better rate this season and has already won three titles with Los Blancos.

Why He Will Not Win

With Real Madrid perched atop the League standings and Barcelona seemingly struggling, Ronaldo would need to be injured to lose this trophy. And Messi would need to start scoring like its 2012 again.

Neither looks likely at the moment so it is safe to say that this is Ronaldo's trophy to lose.