The five-time Ballond’Or winner, Messi is close to 1/2 to clinch his sixth award compared to Ronaldo, who is predicted to receive 20/1 and 17/1 votes as given by most betting portals, reported the Fox Sports Asia. (Photo:AFP)

Mumbai: An article by Sportskeeda says that the betting lads have favoured Argentine forward, Lionel Messi to win the Ballond’Or for a record sixth time. The betting odds have preferred Messi to Cristiano Ronaldo.

The five-time Ballond’Or winner, Messi is close to 1/2 to clinch his sixth award compared to Ronaldo, who is predicted to receive 20/1 and 17/1 votes as given by most betting portals, reported the Fox Sports Asia.

Messi and Ronaldo have been dominating the Ballond’Or awards for a decade as the two have won five awards each in their careers.

However, last year an unexpected turn took place when Coroatian midfielder Luka Modric clinched the coveted trophy for his blistering performance in the 2018 Fifa World Cup, and in the UEFA Champions League. 

Messi and Cristiano are back in the race along with other competitors from the Premier League.

Messi showed brilliance yet again in this season as he recently netted his 50th goal in all competitions versus Eibar.

The Cataluniya captain led his club to their 26th La Liga title, Messi’s side also has the chance to claim another trophy when they face Valencia in the Copa Del Ray final.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo ended his Serie A campaign with a title and a league Player of the Year award.

The Juventus player has clearly descended in the race for the trophy, as Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane, and Mohamed Salah went ahead of him. Ronaldo, however, stands at fifth, competing with PSG's Mbappe and Manchester City's Sterling.