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Believe it or not, the Ballon d'Or awards are almost upon us. In less than a month's time from now, the best footballer of the year will be announced in a grand ceremony hosted in Paris.
With the conclusion of voting on 9 November, it remains to be seen whether the Messi Ronaldo duopoly at the awards finally comes to an end this year or not.
Let's be honest here, all of us have already picked our favourites for the award. And the debate as to who'll be crowned the winner this time around is only going to get more and more heated as the main event inches closer by each passing day.
Well, it is difficult to predict the winner at this moment, but just like us, some of the best players, coaches and pundits have had their say on the possible Ballon d'Or winners, making some bold claims and predictions in the process.
So, let us take a look at the top 5 Ballon d'Or predictions that have been made so far.
#1 Leonardo Bonucci says the award will go to Ronaldo
Italy and Juventus defender Bonucci has revealed his pick for this year's Ballon d'Or and it is not surprising that surprising.
While the Bianconeri defender expressed his desire to see a defender taking home the award, he insisted that the accolade should go to his teammate Ronaldo this time.
The Italian defender said (via Goal), "It would be nice to see a defender win the Ballon d’Or like Varane but, as much as he gave to Real last year and for all that he has shown, the Golden Ball must go to Cristiano Ronaldo."
Will Bonucci's prediction turn out to be true? Will Ronaldo claim the prestigious award for a record sixth time? We'll only get to know on 3 December.
#2 Massimiliano Allegri insists that the awards should go to Ronaldo
Juventus manager, Allegri is a huge fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, that is why he spent €112 million this summer to secure his services at the Allianz Stadium.
Naturally, when asked about his favorite to win the Ballon d'Or this year, he said only one player could win it this year and it will be Ronaldo.
"Cristiano deserves to win the Ballon d'Or for everything he's done - the goals he's scored, the trophies he's won and what he's doing this season too," the Italian said, via Juventus.com. "He's world-class. He's taken us to another level because he's brought international experience and he's raised everyone's belief."
#3 Thierry Henry makes surprising Ballon d'Or claim
Monaco head coach Thierry Henry revealed his Ballon d'Or favorite and surprisingly he has given a snub to both Messi and Ronaldo.
He favors a French player to win the Golden Ball this year given France's World Cup triumph, but according to him the best individual player who can claim the honor is Eden Hazard.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, the 1998 World Cup winner, said, "I think it would be a shame if a French player does not win the Balon d'Or, apart from Eden Hazard because he was extraordinary at every World Cup match - defensively and on the counter-attack."
It might be interesting to know that Henry was the assistant coach of Belgium at the World Cup this summer and thus inclination towards the Chelsea superstar is understandable.
#4 Michel Platini only sees one French defender winning the award this year
Michel Platini made a bold claim in an interview with RMC. Snubbing favourites Ronaldo and Messi, he has backed France defender Raphael Varane for the award.
Platini is a three-time Ballon d'Or winner himself, so he should know what it takes and believes that his compatriot has done everything that needs to be done win the award.
Plantini told RMC: "It's a Frenchman who is going to have a Golden Ball."There's always the Ronaldo-Messi debate, but this year there's only one player who has won a European Cup and the World Cup, it's Varane."
He compared the Real Madrid defender's season to that of 2006 award winner Fabio Cannavaro, the last defender to win the award to emphasize his claim.
"Let's not forget that in 2006 it was a defender, Fabio Cannavaro , who won the Ballon d'Or."
#5 France coach Didier Deschamps backs his player to claim the trophy
Didier Deschamps led France to their second World Cup glory this summer. And thus believes it has to be a Frenchman lifting the Ballon d'Or trophy this December.
He backed PSG superstar, Kylian Mbappe to win the accolade despite his youth.
Speaking at the Golden Foot ceremony in Monaco, he reiterated that he hoped to see a member of his squad being named the winner this time around.
RMC quoted him saying,"'Mbappé' is logically part of the French players who can win the Ballon d'Or, even if he is young.
"He deserves it, like others elsewhere. I say it and I repeat it, I hope it will be a Frenchman who will win. "
Although Mbappe is a favourite to win the award and had a wonderful season with PSG and France he faces a fierce competition from Varane and Modric for the coveted Golden Ball.
