Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi is widely expected to win the Ballon d’Or for a record sixth time later, with Cristiano Ronaldo not even on the podium.
Both ANSA and Gazzetta dello Sport claim Messi will win the prestigious prize in Paris tonight, barely a day after scoring the winner against Atletico Madrid in a 1-0 victory.
Ronaldo, on the other hand, is being tipped to place fourth, behind Liverpool pair Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
The Juventus forward is tied with the Argentine on five Ballon d’Ors but also missed out last year to then-Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric.
Messi was similarly named The Best FIFA Men’s Player of 2019 in September, during a ceremony at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan.
Ronaldo struggled for form and fitness in November but was back among the goals yesterday, netting in a 2-2 draw with Sassuolo.
Rondo88
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lets be fair with ourselves, individually Messi was the best this year, but Van dijk, Sadio mane and Salah gave him a good run, any objective football fan would see this is the truth, please Juventus, Madrid, and United fans I don't want to here none of that Ronaldo got rob cock and bull when Messi finally gets his hands on the ballon de or later tonight