Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Real Madrid retained the Champions League

Real Madrid beat ten-man Juventus 4-1 in the Champions League final in Cardiff

Ronaldo won his fourth Ballon d'Or in 2016 after wins in 2008, 2013 and 2014

Real became the first team ever to successfully defend the Champions League

Steven Gerrard believes Cristiano Ronaldo's performance in the Champions League final shows he deserves to win the Ballon d'Or for a fifth time.

Ronaldo netted twice, either side of half time, as Real thrashed Juventus 4-1 in Cardiff to win the Champions League.

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In the process he became the first player ever to score in three Champions League finals and helped Real become the first team in history to successfully retain the trophy.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with his Champions League medal after Saturday's final

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And Liverpool legend Gerrard thinks Ronaldo's two-goal display should be enough to secure him the 2017 Ballon d'Or which would be his fifth in total.

'It's frightening and it's scary,' Gerrard said on BT Sport's coverage of the Champions League final.

'The Ballon d'Or should be his as these are the games that define players.

'Just a shame he didn't get his hat-trick because it would have been the quarter-final, semi-final and the final.'

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Steven Gerrard said it was a 'shame' Ronaldo didn't score a hat-trick against Juventus

He previously won the Ballon d'Or in 2008 as a Manchester United player and in 2013. 2014 and 2016 with Real.

Ronaldo's second of the night, which made it 3-1 to Zinedine Zidane's side, saw him reach another landmark with his 600th career goal.

Ronaldo put his side ahead against Juventus after tucking home Dani Carjaval's cut-back in the 20th before Mario Mandzukic scored a stunning equaliser for the Serie A champions seven minutes later.

Ronaldo celebrates after becoming the first player to score in three Champions League finals

Casemiro's deflected effort put Real 2-1 up after the break before Ronaldo's second and a late strike from Marco Asensio sealed the win over Juventus - who had Juan Cuadrado sent off.

Ronaldo previously scored for Manchester United in their final against Chelsea in 2008 and for Real against Atletico Madrid in the 2014 final.

His brace on Saturday meant he finished as the top scorer in this season's Champions League, with 12 goals.

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He is also the all-time top scorer in the competition with 105 goals.