It's been an award dominated by two very familiar names for over a decade, but this year's Ballon d'Or has the potential to be a much more competitive affair.
Far from being a straight shootout between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have won 12 of the last 13 editions, several stars across Europe have a legitimate case for being a contender at the halfway point of the year.
Paul Pogba has already made it clear who he thinks should win. The Frenchman has talked up the chances of his international team-mate N'Golo Kante, who enjoyed a stellar season for Chelsea culminating in Champions League glory.