Leonardo Bonucci would like to see a defender win the Ballon d’Or but concedes that the 2018 award “must go to Cristiano Ronaldo” ahead of the likes of Raphael Varane.
France’s successful World Cup side is expected to provide several leading contenders for the prestigious individual prize.
Alongside Varane, the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe are being backed to secure plenty of support.
Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi will also be in contention once more, as he seeks to land a sixth Golden Ball of his illustrious career.
Ronaldo, though, has enjoyed another successful year, having claimed Champions League honours with Real Madrid in 2017-18, and Juventus team-mate Bonucci expects him to become the first man to six Ballons d’Or.