The prestigious Ballon d'Or for 2016 is all set to be held in Paris and the France Football magazine will announce the sixty-first winner on Monday. Though there are many contenders in the list, Cristiano Ronaldo is said to have beaten Lionel Messi to claim the trophy.
Ballon d'Or 2016 will be held in Paris as France Football magazine, the creator of the award, has ended its partnership with FIFA, reports Telegraph Football. The winner will be decided by the votes of a panel of journalists rather than footballers and coaches- the earlier practice when FIFA was also a partner. The winner will be revealed at 8 pm on December 12 and the award ceremony will begin from 5: 30 pm.
However, it is still not confirmed if this year's ceremony will be broadcast on television. The hosts have also not been revealed and it remains to be seen if James Nesbitt and Kate Abdo, last year's presenters, will repeat their roles. As for the contenders that are making a buzz, the 30-man shortlist that was announced in late October includes around eight Premier League players. What is more, it is rumored that Cristiano Ronaldo has beaten Lionel Messi to win his fourth Ballon d'Or, claims The Independent.
It is said that Ronaldo will emerge victorious and defeat close competitor and last year's winner Messi, thereby, coming even closer to the latter's haul of five Balloon d'Ors. The Portugal forward has had an eventful year in 2016. He scored the winning penalty and ensured Real Madrid's second Champions League victory in three years and also led his country to their first ever European Championship at Euro. If he makes it this year, it will be his fourth Ballon d'Or. The first came in 2008 and the second and third in 2013 and 2014. Luis Suarez, who has become quite a deadly finisher and is a favorite, said that he is not marketable enough to beat Messi or Ronaldo.
Moreover, ever since 2008, Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi have dominated the awards and this year too, the other contenders feel that they do not stand a chance against these two stalwarts.
