Football’s most prestigious individual prize will be handed out on Monday 29 November, with midfielder Bruno Fernandes in with a chance of a maiden victory after another stellar year.
Our other contender is no stranger to this award, with Cristiano Ronaldo having won it an incredible five times. Only Ronaldo’s great rival Lionel Messi has been more successful, with six trophies to his name, and our forward will be looking to pull level with the Argentine next month.
Here’s a short history of Ronaldo’s relationship with the Ballon d’Or, which started way back in 2004, when he was just 19…
2004-07
Cristiano’s first appearance on the award shortlist came in 2004, when he was among a group of 50 names competing for what was then the title of European Footballer of the Year.