Why Lionel Messi is three times more likely to win the Golden Ball than Cristiano Ronaldo

They both seem convinced of winning a league title and believe that their team has every chance of winning the Champions League.

But according to a new study, Lionel Messi would be three times more likely than the old opponent Cristiano Ronaldo to win the 2019 Golden Ball.

The Barcelona striker scored 31 goals in La Liga while Ronaldo alone prevented Juventus from eliminating in Europe.

But statistics specialists, Fivethirtyeight, badyzed the numbers and "focused on the defensive and offensive capabilities of each team, as well as on turn-based probabilities".

This means that Messi will win the title for the fifth time.

Of course, everything could depend on the results of the Champions League over the next seven weeks.

Barcelona seems more likely in the current state of things and has a 1-0 lead over Manchester United to return to Nou Camp.

The Argentinian did not score but Ronaldo made it into the quarter-finals.

But his goal at half-time was not enough to win the first leg in Ajax, as the Dutch turned to join Turin tied.

Ronaldo would like a favor from his former club to increase his chances of winning the crown.

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said, "Of course, PSG's performance gives us hope and the belief that we can do it anyway.

"But we know that we are probably playing favorites to win the tournament and going to camp at Nou will be a challenge.

"It would be a great success to win this one because of the history of Barcelona.They are not used to losing at home.

"But we can do it, no doubt. We know we can carry a threat of purpose. "