Neymar, Mbappe can end Ronaldo and Messi's dominance: Michael Owen

Paris, Dec 8: Real Madrid star striker Cristiano Ronaldo on Thursday (December 7) bagged his fifth Ballon d'Or award, football's most prestigious individual prize, to equal Barcelona forward Lionel Messi's record.

The 32-year-old Portugal national forward received France Football's player of the year award for the fourth time in five years after a brilliant run in the 2016-17 season. It is his second successive award.

Ronaldo helped Real Madrid win La Liga and the UEFA Champions League 2016-17 apart from scoring 600 career goals.

Hailing Ronaldo as one of all time greats former English former footballer Michael Owen said winning five Ballon d'Or is an unbelievable achievement.

When asked about Ronaldo lifting his fifth Ballon d'Or, Owen - who bagged a Ballon d'Or in 2001, asserted that the Portuguese star has proved he's one of the greatest of the game.

Another dream come true. Unbelievable feeling. Thanks to my family, friends, teammates, coaches and everyone that stood by my side throughout the years.👌🏽🔝 pic.twitter.com/A9jyYswePD

— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) December 7, 2017

"Well, I think every word has been spoken about Cristiano Ronaldo. He's won this award five times which is an unbelievable achievement. I thought it was very good to win one award but to win it five times just goes to prove that he's one of the best players that have ever walked on this planet.

"He's an exceptional talent and to still be doing it at his age and still be as good as ever is very impressive," Owen told media persons.

When asked who can be the next big stars of the game, the former Real Madrid striker felt Brazil's Neymar Jr and France's Kylian Mbappe - both of whom play for Paris Saint-Germain - could be the next big stars who can end the dominance of the two giants i.e. Messi and Ronaldo.

"I think Cristiano mentioned it on the stage (when) he said players like Neymar and Mbappe are probably the favourites to go on and win the Ballon d'Or in the future.

"Who knows, you never know who's going to develop, maybe come out of this next World Cup. We might have a future star that comes out of this next world cup. But at the moment, the game at the very top is dominated by Ronaldo and Messi but it won't last forever, somebody will have to win the award soon. And I think maybe Mbappe and Neymar might be those type of people," the former England national signed off.