Ballon D'Or 2015: Predictions for Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and More

Germany won the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but even the best players from that squad will have a hard time ending Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's tug of war over the Ballon d'Or.

The insanely prolific pair have claimed the last four awards handed to the best player in the world. Considering they are both still rewriting football's record books on a weekly basis, you'd be brave to expect a new name to adorn the trophy handed out on January 12, 2015.

One player who will try to wrest it away is Germany and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. But collecting the sport's biggest international prize and redefining his position won't be enough.

So who will win, Messi or Ronaldo?

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

Both are making a strong case, but new records for the former could tip the scales in his favour:

Messi's Records Could Upset Ronaldo

Lionel Messi didn't pick up the trophies Ronaldo did in 2014. While Ronaldo was lifting the Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League trophies with Real Madrid, Messi's Barcelona were empty-handed.

However, the too-talented-to-be-true tiny terror has still been adorned with awards and stunning personal achievement this year. Chief among the latter is Messi's place as the all-time leading scorer in the UEFA Champions League.

He confirmed that with the first strike of a hat-trick in Barca's recent 4-0 away win over APOEL:

The Champions League is seen by many as the premier club competition in football. Having earned a place as its most prolific player, Messi will have put himself back near the forefront of Ballon d'Or voters' minds.

In truth, he probably did that when he became the leading scorer in the history of Spain's La Liga. Again, Messi reached a milestone and set a new one, via a hat-trick.

This one helped Barcelona beat Sevilla 5-1. Messi's moment of magic was depicted and detailed by Squawka Football:

Messi also won the Golden Ball at the World Cup as the tournament's designated best player. It was reward for helping lead Argentina to the final.

However, the acknowledgement was not without controversy. Legendary Argentine World Cup-winning maverick Diego Maradona was among those critical of the decision to give the award to his countryman.

He expressed his displeasure during an interview on Telesur (h/t Daily Mail writer John Drayton): "I would give him heaven if possible. But it's not right when someone wins something that he shouldn't have won just because of some marketing plan."

Gregorio Borgia/Associated Press

The depiction of Messi as a FIFA favourite may be a little too convenient. Few can argue he's been the best player of his generation. However, it's equally tough to contend Messi was the best player in Brazil this summer.

But the fact he reached the final is one more string to his bow Ronaldo doesn't have. The latter's country, Portugal, didn't even make it out of the group stage.

Hard to Look Past Ronaldo's Goals

Ronaldo may not have the impact internationally Messi has been credited with. Yet it's going to be awfully tough for award voters to look past his phenomenal scoring run at club level.

It started in last season's Champions League. Ronaldo hit an astonishing and record-setting 17 goals to help Madrid win the competition.

In the process, Los Blancos captured their 10th European Cup. As the central figure in that triumph, Ronaldo has all the credibility he needs to win a second straight Ballon d'Or.

His case is strengthened by the fact the 29-year-old has done anything but stand still since. What's he's done is dominate the start of the new La Liga season in scarcely believable fashion.

He's scored 24 goals already this season, including 20 in league action, per Who Scored. Ronaldo's also been making more history in Europe's showpiece club competition, as Opta Jose noted:

Those are stunning figures that leave many in no doubt Ronaldo deserves this award.

One of the believers is elite French judoka Teddy Riner. He gave Ronaldo his endorsement, per FIFA.com:

"

It just has to be Cristiano Ronaldo for me, because he scored a record number of goals in the Champions League last season and he won the trophy too. I know he didn’t have a great World Cup, but you can’t expect him to do everything. It’s a team sport after all. I’ve got friends who play for Real Madrid and they tell me that he’s the first to arrive for training and the last to leave, so I know he’s a hard worker. And then there’s the fact that he saved Portugal from missing out on the World Cup. He really deserves it.

"

It won't be easy for anyone to deny Ronaldo's claim to the prize.

Neuer's Position Will Count Against Him

It may not be fair or particularly imaginative, but attacking players almost always win the Ballon d'Or. That means Neuer shouldn't get his hopes up.

In fact, only one goalkeeper has ever scooped this prize. That was Lev Yashin all the way back in 1963. That hardly bodes well for Neuer's chances.

He's been outstanding at both club and international level this year:

Neuer's performances for both Germany and Bayern Munich ought to be rewarded. That's according to his Bayern team-mate Franck Ribery.

The French wing wizard bemoaned the politics and cynicism often associated with the award during an interview with Sport Bild (h/t Goal writer Stefan Coerts):

"

It will be the same this year. What can I say about it? Manuel Neuer or Arjen Robben should win it. You can't disagree with this. Manu has won it all, he is a great guy and he isn't arrogant. Arjen has played an incredible season in the Bundesliga and then a fantastic World Cup.

But I fear it will be about politics again. The Ballon d'Or is no longer for the best player. It's all about politics. Fabio Cannavaro won it in 2006 because he won the World Cup, that's all.

"

Ribery's rationale seems odd considering Neuer won the World Cup this year. That triumph represents his best hope of breaking the Messi and Ronaldo monopoly.

Giving it to a World Cup-winner is an idea endorsed by UEFA president Michel Platini and Dutch great Johan Cruyff, both former Ballon d'Or winners, per Bundesliga.com.

As a quality stopper, Neuer deserves recognition, even though his attempts to play sweeper 'keeper are becoming increasingly annoying in their conceit.

However, no matter how dominant he's been, Neuer shouldn't bank on lifting the award the way he did the Jules Rimet trophy.

Predicted Winner: Ronaldo

If Messi had been toting more silverware under his arms in 2014, he'd be claiming his fifth Ballon d'Or. Instead, that 10th European Cup he helped inspire will shine brightest among Ronaldo's many achievements this year.