Barcelona staged a thrilling second-half comeback to defeat Levante 3-2 away in LaLiga on Saturday, overcoming a two-goal deficit after a poor first-half display.
Ronaldo had won his first Ballon d'Or in 2008 while he was playing for Manchester United and still holds the record of the last Premier League player to claim the top prize. Messi won his first in 2009 and was nominated for 16 years.
Barcelona came within a whisker of an improbable comeback after last month's thrashing, with 18-year-old midfielder Marc Bernal, starting in place of the injured Frenkie De Jong, scoring in each half and Raphinha converting a penalty after Pedri was fouled.
Sevilla ended defending champions Barcelona's unbeaten streak in the Spanish League with a crushing 4-1 defeat, in Madrid, on Sunday.
Barcelona defeated Atletico Madrid, extending their lead in La Liga after Real Madrid's loss to Mallorca. Key goals from Lewandowski and Rashford secured Barcelona's victory, while Muriqi's late goal sealed Mallorca's win against Real.
The result keeps Barcelona second in the table on 16 points from six games, two behind leaders Real Madrid. Oviedo remain 18th with just three points.
The Ballon d'Or, which is awarded annually since 1956, is one of the most prestigious individual honours in football.
Adrien Rabiot scored two goals as AC Milan came from behind to earn a 3-1 victory at Como on Thursday.
Barcelona beat visitors Girona 4-1 in the Catalan derby on Sunday
Barcelona top the LaLiga standings with 15 points, four ahead of Real Madrid and Villarreal. Girona are seventh on seven points.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and LaLiga have taken steps to tackle an increase in racist abuse with measures including partial stadium closures.
Raphinha scored twice as Barcelona overcame a two-goal deficit to secure a crucial 4-3 home victory against rivals Real Madrid in a pulsating Clasico on Sunday, edging them closer to the LaLiga title.
A summary of Wednesday's Champions League first leg quarter-finals between Barcelona and Dortmund and Real Madrid, and Paris St Germain and Aston Villa.
Images from the Champions League semi-final first leg between Barcelona and Inter Milan at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain, on Wednesday.
Barcelona dropped their first points in LaLiga this season as Rayo Vallecano fought back to secure a 1-1 draw at home to the champions.
FC Barcelona hammered Newcastle United F.C. 7-2 to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, while Liverpool F.C., Bayern Munich and Atltico Madrid also advanced.
Spain face Ronald Koeman's Netherlands away on Thursday before returning home for the second-leg on March 23.
The official 26-man squads for FIFA World Cup 2026.
Barcelona closed the gap on their rivals Real Madrid, moving up to 28 points and pulling two clear of third-placed Villarreal.
IMAGES from the UEFA Champions League matches played on Wednesday.
Barcelona thrashed Real Betis 5-1 on Wednesday to book their spot in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.
Lewandowski strike gives Barcelona 1-0 win over Alaves
Mondo Duplantis was named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, while American gymnast Simone Biles bagged the top women's honour at the Laureus World Sports Awards.
Goals from Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham earned Real Madrid a 2-1 victory over Barcelona in a spiky El Clasico on Sunday that snapped a four-match losing streak against their rivals and extended their lead atop the LaLiga standings.
Al-Nassr and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo said on Saturday he did not plan to play at the Club World Cup in the United States, despite being courted by clubs participating in the expanded 32-team tournament.
Christensen, Rashford on target as Barcelona beat Guadalajara in Copa del Rey
Manchester City's Erling Haaland came back to haunt Borussia Dortmund with a clinical finish against his former team, while Phil Foden bagged a brilliant brace as the hosts cruised to a 4-1 win in the Champions League on Wednesday to climb to fourth.
Robert Lewandowski's brace earned depleted Barcelona a 2-1 comeback win at Valencia
Shailesh Karkera picks the Best Players at Euro 24.
Barcelona captain Raphinha scored twice as they returned to winning ways in LaLiga for the first time in a month with a 5-1 victory at Mallorca on Tuesday.
Barcelona midfielder Gavi delighted to be back after 348-day injury layoff
Erling Haaland is the tenth player to reach the landmark of 50 goals in the UEFA Champions League and fastest to do so, beating the 62-match record of Ruud van Nistelrooy.
'Did I leave too soon? No, my story was over, it had to end. There was no bitterness, I'd reached the end of my tether.'
"Playing with Barcelona is special. It will be the last 'El Clasico' of the season because Barca are not in the Club World Cup."
Barcelona will go to the international break on top of the standings on a perfect 12 points from four games, five ahead second-placed Villarreal and seven clear of bitter rivals Real Madrid
22-year-old Athletic Bilbao player Nico Williams, a major transfer target for top European clubs, has been one of the most exciting players in Spain's seven-match winning run at the tournament.
A preview of the Euro 2024 Final between England and Spain
Rodri won the Ballon d'Or award for the best player in the world, beating Brazil's Vinicius Jr and England's Jude Bellingham.
Robert Lewandowski smashed home a rebound to earn Barcelona a 2-1 win against Athletic Bilbao in an absorbing LaLiga clash on Saturday.
Liverpool shrugged off the absence of Mohamed Salah as midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai scored an 88th-minute penalty to give them a 1-0 Champions League win at Inter Milan.
