The "Ballon D'or" reward is given annually to the best footballer in the world, it's the holly grail of the personal rewards and representing a lot of prestige.
If the reward, as designed, would be going the the best player in the world, Messi should have it every year. Why, because literally he is the best player out there, the most talented, the most exciting to watch and yes, more that Ronaldo, each and every moment !
But as other considerations come along, and you look at the whole package, you just can't ignore all this other factors that influence the real question behind the formal reward, who would you practically pick for your team?
Ronaldo is nearing 33 years of age, with no visible degradation in shape nor ability, is't the other way around, he it seems that he is just getting better! the only way that a sportsman can achieve this results is be being absolutely dedicated to his profession, training regimes and correct lifestyle.
for me, whenever i watch Ronaldo play, i can see him wanting more than anyone around him, and eventually good or bad day, you can always count that he will give 100% for his team
Unfortunately for Messi and his fans that's exactly where IMO he's far behind !
we all know that a superstar like him had the moral obligation to go out every game and preform well and so Messi came up with a "great" idea, he is just resting during the game. unfortunately for us the gave lasts only 90 minutes, and if you are resting half the time it just looks bad ! actually, it looks like you are not willing to do the maximum for your team. It looks even worse if that happens during a very important matches like the champions league playoff.
it doesn't matter that Messi have to succeed each and every match to be the MVP, but he always has to try ! this is his obligation to his fans !
It is my opining that every player going out to the peach need the urge to prove himself, even if he has nothing to prove, and have to give everything he has.
These very thoughts, and not his titles this year makes me believe that Ronaldo deserves the Ballon D'or 2017
Messi is probably the better player, but Ronaldo will leave his hart on the pitch and make his teammates believe.