Cristiano Ronaldo was announced alongside Real Madrid team-mate Gareth Bale among the first nominees for the 2016 Ballon d'Or on Monday.
The Portuguese forward and Barcelona's Lionel Messi have monopolised the gong since 2008—Ronaldo winning it three times and Messi five—and the Real star is a strong favourite to prevail again this year.
Per the award's presenters France Football (via the Mirror's Ed Malyon), Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Manchester City's Sergio Aguero and Juventus veteran Gianluigi Buffon were also included among the first nominees:
30-man Ballon d'Or longlist announced (in bits) today.