- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: Masters champion ‘felt so vulnerable’ in final
- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Kingery makes MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
Ballon d’Or 2016: Full 30-Man Longlist, Award Nominees Announced in New Format
- Updated: October 24, 2016
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. First 5 names: Aguero, Aubameyang, Bale, Buffon, Cristiano Ronaldo.
— Ed Malyon (@eaamalyon) October 24, 2016
The full list of 30 will be completed as nominees are announced in groups of five every two hours on Monday, per BBC Sport.
After winning the UEFA Champions League with Real and Euro 2016 with Portugal earlier this year, Ronaldo is the heavy favourite to pick up the award, with Los Blancos legend Roberto Carlos recently …
