Cristiano Ronaldo Wins the 2016 Ballon D'Or

Cristiano Ronaldo has been awarded the 2016 FIFA Ballon d'Or for the fourth time, edging out Lionel Messi and cross-town rival Antoine Griezmann. The Portuguese forward has had an extraordinarily successful year after winning the Champions League last season with Real Madrid, followed by Portugal's summer triumph over France at the UEFA European Championships.

For yet another season the 31 year-old has been integral to Real Madrid's success, with his ten goals this season in La Liga only beaten by Messi's eleven for Barcelona. Despite this, Real Madrid is still undefeated this season and maintains a six point lead at the top of the table over Barcelona.

While Ronaldo is still chasing down Lionel Messi's five Ballon d'Or awards, the Portuguese forward has been prospering not just with his club but also with his country in a way that his Argentine rival has never managed. Both players are looking to cement their position as top dog this season in La Liga and the Champions League, but the defining trial between these two champions will be at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Russia will be the stage where these two players will have their best and probably final chance to earn the national trophy and become the undisputed player of this generation. 

Benzema and Valbuena Shine as France Demolish Honduras

After the collapse in South Africa, the French team has been waiting for a chance to prove that they're still one of the World's elite nations when it comes to the big stage. Although France's 2014 World Cup campaign started with the news of Ribery's injury, perhaps the lack of Bayern Munich's winger in the squad will prove to be a positive as Les Bleus have found balance by replacing his starting spot with Antoine Griezmann from Real Sociedad. With Griezmann and Valbuena on the wings of the trident starring Karim Benzema up top, France had few problems against Honduras as they won 3-0 in Porto Alegre.

From the start of the match, France took control of possession with the midfield trio of Matuidi, Cabaye, and Pogba. Honduras defended with physicality and aggressiveness, but were never able to find any continuity as the French kept the ball with ease. Without the presence of Ribery, the French team was able to operate with more freedom when going forward, working the ball more rather than depending on the Bayern Munich winger's runs.

Although the French looked dangerous for the entire first half, it was only minutes from the break that they were given the chance to take the lead. Honduras' Wilson Palacios barged into Paul Pogba from behind, giving France a penalty while also earning his second yellow card, thus leaving Honduras with ten men and Benzema free to score from the spot.

With the 1-0 lead France started the second half with ease, scoring a second in just three minutes. It was Benzema again who volleyed onto the post before Honduras keeper Valladares fumbled the rebound just over the line. It was goal-line technology's debut in terms of being actually required, and it got the job done without delays or difficulties.

The second half went on with Valbuena running the show and dictating the tempo, linking up smoothly with Benzema and Griezmann while Honduras could only defend. It was Benzema yet again who sealed the scoreline, controlling the loose ball from a corner and blasting it into the back of the Honduras net to make it 3-0. With this first win under their belt, France prepare to face Switzerland (who defeated Ecuador 2-1) next.

Is this France team ready to make a proper run this World Cup? Is Ribery's injury giving the rest of the team more freedom to play? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Griezmann Inspires Real Sociedad to Stun Barcelona in 3-1 Win

After a successful Champions League night in Manchester, Gerardo Martino felt at liberty to experiment with the Barcelona lineup away against Real Sociedad. Leaving Xavi and Fabregas on the bench, Martino chose a new midfield trio of Sergio Busquets, Song, and Iniesta. Even with the attacking trident of Messi, Neymar, and Pedro, Barcelona succumbed 3-1 to a much superior Real Sociedad.

Martino probably should have anticipated a tough match against the Basque side, considering that Real Sociedad remain unbeaten at home against Barca in La Liga since their promotion back in 2010. It wasn't surprising that the altered Barcelona defence of Adriano, Bartra, Pique and Montoya had difficulty against the dynamic and hard-working Sociedad attack. Carlos Vela up front supported by the left-footed playmaker Sergio Canales, along with Zurutuza and Griezmann on the wings quickly put the blaugrana on the back foot with their fast-moving combination play.

Thirty-two minutes in Barcelona conceded the first, with Song unfortunately redirecting a corner past Victor Valdes for an own goal. Just a few minutes later Barcelona briefly decided to right the ship, with Messi rifling a low shot into the corner after a brilliantly set up dummy by Sergio Busquets. With both sides even at halftime and Gerardo Martino sent to the stands by the referee, Barcelona looked ready to turn the game around in order to equal Real Madrid's 63 points at the top of the table. However it was Real Sociedad who came out in the second half with one-touch counter-attacks, cutting through the Barcelona defence at an alarming and impressive rate.

It took less than ten minutes for Real Sociedad to score, with Carlos Vela putting across a perfect pass for Griezmann to blast into the net to take the lead. Minutes later it was Griezmann who placed a curled cross for Zurutuza's late run (which none of the Barcelona defence picked up), the ball poked into the net with Valdes swiping Zurutuza off of his feet right after. Less than fifteen minutes into the second half, Barcelona were 3-1 down and unable to muster any sort of fire to fight back. Fabregas and Sanchez were quickly introduced in hopes of spurring a reaction, but the Blaugrana possession was slow-moving and inconclusive, while Real Sociedad continued to create goalscoring opportunities. The match ended with Barcelona not even using their third substitution, Martino perhaps realizing from the stands that he might as well let Xavi rest considering the dominance of the home side.

Now unbeaten in ten league matches (seven wins, three draws), Real Sociedad have scaled their way up to fifth place in the table, just behind Athletic Bilbao. With the race for the La Liga title as exciting as ever, the competition for the fourth spot (the final qualifying Champions League spot) is just as tight and exciting, especially with Real Sociedad playing wonderfully thanks to its set of starlets. Griezmann continues to be eyed by just about every top European club, and the resurgences of Carlos Vela and Sergio Canales have blossomed an attacking force which is tearing through La Liga defences. Real Sociedad have claimed three important points against Barcelona in their fight for fourth place, however when the summer approaches the club will have a new challenge in retaining Griezmann and the rest of their top players.