Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Talks Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Dortmund, More

The sky is the limit for Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who sees no reason why he can't rival Ballon d'Or regulars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the near future.

Recent years have seen that pair reach almost superhuman figures in front of goal, but after netting 20 goals in 17 appearances this season, Aubameyang has bigger targets in sight, he told French newspaper L'Equipe (via Goal's Stephen Crawford):

"

I tell myself: 'I'm on the right track.' It's great to see my hard work paying off, even if it's not finished. 

If a Ronaldo can score 50 goals a season, why can't I? I believe and, when I pray, I ask to become one of the best attackers on the planet.

I need to continue like this, to repeat this form over several seasons like Messi and Ronaldo have done. For years I've said that one day I'd like to score 40 goals. 

I have progressed, I have worked a lot in front of goal, trying to keep a cool head, trying not to force things.

It's my third year here and I feel good, at home. People talk about me and that's good, but a lot of it has been down to how my team-mates have supported me.

"

Of course, being the best in their trade is the natural aim for any athlete, but Aubameyang will now learn the impact expectations can have on a player after coming upon the best form of his career to date.

The Gabon international recently enjoyed a run of scoring in eight consecutive Bundesliga matches, and although that streak came to its end in a 2-0 win over Mainz, it helps that he set up both Dortmund's goals.

In a way, it speaks even more of Aubameyang's talents that he's capable of playing the role of provider when it's not him on the end of a move. Regardless, he bounced back to scoring form with a hat-trick in his most recent league outing against Augsburg on Sunday.

His recent scoring run has ESPN FC's Stephan Uersfeld wondering just how far Aubameyang can go this season and whether he can indeed rival those numbers previously reserved for Ronaldo and Messi:

The 26-year-old should tread carefully, however, as it wasn't long ago Chelsea's Eden Hazard was being talked about as a potential Ballon d'Or contender only to plummet in form this season, failing to score once this term.

Aubameyang's rise has a hint of the meteoric about it as well, capitalising upon a move to Saint-Etienne in 2011 to eventually reach his full potential shown these days, illustrated by Breathe Sport: 

"

Aubameyang: 2011: AC Milan sell him for €1m 2015: Top goalscorer in Europe's top 5 leagues pic.twitter.com/SkgqlDVFSJ

— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) October 28, 2015"

It may not be long before Aubameyang is playing directly opposite Ronaldo and Messi, either, after he told the BBC's John Bennett of his intention to move to La Liga one day, per BBC's Oluwashina Okeleji:

The best may be yet to come from the forward, too, if current trajectory is anything to go by. Aubameyang netted 16 goals in 48 appearances during his first season at Signal Iduna Park, but he was a far more efficient beast last term, bagging 26 in two games fewer.

Now he's just six goals away from matching his career-best tally, and Dortmund still have 10 matches before they even stop for the Christmas break, at which point it wouldn't be surprising to see him already surpass that number.

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

As is so often the case when a new star emerges, Aubameyang's next battle is one only he can fight: the mental duel he faces to look past such widespread admiration to ensure standards don't slip.

That's the quality that sets Ronaldo and Messi apart when it comes to being looked upon as the world's finest, and Aubameyang stands on the brink of moving into that elite category.