Dani Alves deserves to win the Ballon d'Or

France Football asked in their latest edition on Tuesday who could beat Cristiano Ronaldo to the Ballon d’Or this year. Well, OK, and not to be biased (see: Messi), I had a name before the return leg of the Champions League semi-final between Juventus and Monaco: Gigi Buffon. After the first 45 minutes? I had another. Dani Alves.

The Brazilian has played two dream semi-finals. Three assists and a golazo is an incredible tally and gives him the right to confront the merits of the main and preferred candidate of the organisation, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Until the quarters, the Portuguese had barely done anything in the competition this season. With the help of the referee against Bayern and Atletico’s help in the semi-final first leg, he started scoring goals. 

But in a choice that each time seems based in resultism, it all depends on the Cardiff final. If there is no Atletico comeback, the final should end up deciding the Ballon d’Or winner. 

And if Juve win, then Buffon and Dani Alves will be the two biggest candidates. They could also manage a treble which would pour shame on Barcelona letting him leave.