Cristiano Ronaldo to Beat Lionel Messi to FIFA Award, According to Spanish Press

The Spanish media have reportedly revealed Real Madrid and Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo will beat Barcelona's Lionel Messi to the Best FIFA Men’s Player 2016 award on January 9, one month after clinching the Ballon d'Or. 

Ronaldo was a controversial Ballon d'Or winner for some, but Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo (h/t Eurosport) has allegedly blown the lid on FIFA's ceremony next month by suggesting he's set to double up on his accolades.

Since winning the Ballon d'Or in early December, Ronaldo has also added the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup to his trophy cabinet after bagging a hat-trick in the 4-2 final victory over Japanese outfit Kashima Antlers.

The 31-year-old took to Instagram on Monday to celebrate the latest addition to his silverware collection, following triumphs in the UEFA Champions League and Euro 2016 earlier this year:

According to Mundo Deportivo, Messi has fared better in the FIFA award voting than he did in the Ballon d'Or, although it still hasn't been enough to take the individual award.

Ronaldo's trophy exploits this year have spread far and wide, both for club and country, and BigSport provided a rundown of the Real star's prolific 2016 to date:

Antoine Griezmann is said to have taken third place for the second successive vote, meaning fans will be looking at an identical podium to the Ballon d'Or in Zurich on January 9 if reports prove genuine.

Ronaldo was also named Player of the Tournament in the FIFA Club World Cup, and he reflected on a "spectacular" year after lifting the competition's crown, per Alastair Himmer of Agence France-Presse (h/t France 24):

"

They always expect more of Cristiano. It's been a week full of joy after winning the Ballon d'Or too. I thank my team-mates because without them Cristiano couldn't win these individual awards.

The stats don't lie, as always. People criticise me often but I'm used to it. I've shown my quality on the pitch for many years and I had a spectacular season for Real Madrid and Portugal.

"

Sevilla manager Jorge Sampaoli recently voiced his belief Messi deserves to rake in the award for best player every year, adding that no other player is on the same level, per Antonio Cejas of Marca.

"Cristiano is deserving of any award that can be awarded to him, but it seems to me that there is a big difference between Messi and him," he said. "The rest need to compete for another ball, because the golden one will always be Messi's."

While Ronaldo's 2016 was replete with trophy success, Messi didn't fare badly in the silverware race, either, helping guide Barca to both the 2015-16 La Liga crown and Copa del Rey.

Atletico Madrid star Griezmann, meanwhile, finished as runner-up to Ronaldo in both the Champions League and Euro 2016 finals during the summer, despite enjoying his best season to date.

For the first time since 2009, the Ballon d'Or and FIFA Best Player of the Year will be given as two separate awards, and Ronaldo looks destined to repay Messi for that year's double with a brace of his own in 2016.