In my opinion, the next golden ball of the Portuguese is not subject to any doubts. Ronaldo earned it primarily for performances in the Champions League. 5 goals in Bayern's goal in the quarterfinals, hat-ric in the semi-finals with Atletico and a double in the final match against Buffon, Kjelini and the company - this is what will primarily help Cristiano get the Golden Ball 2017. In the second place - this is the title of the champion of Spain and the first place of the team in his qualifying group at the World Cup. Do not forget that in the selection for the world championship with fifteen balls, Cristiano almost did not become the top scorer, conceding only Robert Lewandowski, who has one more goal.
After the final of the Champions League it became clear that the fifth Golden Ball from Ronaldo will not go anywhere. The last time two goals in the Champions League final before Ronaldo scored Milito 7 years ago. The double in the Champions League final and the victory of Real in this tournament is the trump card that can not be interrupted.
But on this dispute between Ronaldo and Messi will still not end. In the sense that Lionel is likely to get one or more gold balls, and Ronaldo may not already be. The reason for this of course can be the age. The Portuguese in February next year will turn 33 years old and already at the start of this season we see that in many matches he lacked the speed and freshness to which the forward of Real Madrid taught us. As for the 32-year-old striker Ronaldo scores a lot, playing at the highest level. If for the defender or the goalkeeper 32 is not age, the forwards, after thirty, lose in speed (including the speed of decision making) and those indicators that they had before we do not see, but players like Ronaldo or Zlatan Is an exception to the rules.
Messi is only 30 years old and Lionel has one top that has not yet submitted to him. Unlike Ronaldo, he did not win anything with the national team.
The World Cup in 2018 acquires a special significance for the Argentinean. If Sampaoli can create a real team before the final part of the mundialya - then Argentina, led by Messi, will be able to claim victory in the tournament. But it is not necessary that Messi will receive the sixth Gold Ball for merit in the national team. If Barcelona wins the Champions League, Messi's chances for a Golden Ball will also be great. So, in my humble opinion, Lionel will in the future still bypass Cristiano by the number of gold balls.