Ronaldo is expected to lift a fifth Ballon d’Or at the Eiffel Tower tonight – equalling Lionel Messi’s record.
The Portugal star won it last year and after another stunning year – winning the Champions League and La Liga – is the hot favourite to win it again.
The ceremony is held in Paris this evening but stick with us as we bring you updates through the day.
Messi fury
11.50: Lionel Messi is reportedly furious Cristiano Ronaldo is set to beat him to the Ballon d’Or tonight.
The Barcelona ace is aware that Ronaldo is the favourite for the 2017 Ballon d’Or in Paris.
If Ronaldo does win he will go level with Messi on five awards – more than any other player in history.
But Messi doesn’t think Ronaldo deserves it, according to Spanish publication Diario Gol.
Messi is said to think Ronaldo has benefited from having a strong support team and believes the Portugal star has gone missing in big games.
While he believes he’s had to carry Barcelona – who looked to be sinking last season – and still has more goals than Ronaldo.
Ronaldo helped Real Madrid win La Liga and the Champions League in 2017, but Messi feels other players in the side were just as influential.
He also feels having played just about every game for Barcelona that he is more deserving of the award.
Casemiro backs Ronaldo
11.20: Real Madrid team-mate Casemiro thinks Ronaldo is set to win it again.
Ronaldo will join Lionel Messi on five Ballon d’Ors if he takes it again.
“Talking about Cristiano is normal,” Casemiro said.
“He is a player who always fights to break records.
“I do not know if he will win the Ballon d’Or but for me it is very clear. He deserves it and I hope he wins it.”
Perez backs his man
10.40: Real Madrid president Florentino Perez believes Cristiano Ronaldo is a cert to win the Ballon d’Or tonight.
Victory for Ronaldo would see him join Lionel Messi on five awards.
“Ronaldo is one of our great symbols,” he said.
“He is the leading goalscorer in our history. A few days ago, he won his second “The Best” and this week he is going to win his fifth Ballon d’Or.”
Ballon d’Or leak!
10.00: Cristiano Ronaldo is set to win his fifth Ballon d’Or tonight – after leaked images emerged of celebration boots.
Ronaldo is expected to pick up his fifth Ballon d’Or gong following his Champions League success.
He will draw level with great rival Lionel Messi on five awards, having also finished second on five occasions.
Pictures of a pair of Nike boots have emerged with the wording ‘Quinto Triumfo’, or ‘fifth triumph’ inscribed on the heel and the years of each Ronaldo’s successes on the insole.
Messi focus
09.50: Lionel Messi has earned millions of pounds during his illustrious football career. But what is the Barcelona forward’s net worth?
Messi is widely considered to be one of the best footballers of all time.
With five Ballon d’Ors and four Golden Boots to his name, the Barcelona star has cemented himself as one of the most-respected and highest paid athletes in the world.
What is Lionel Messi’s net worth?
Ronaldo focus
09.30: Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the top footballers in history – but how much is he worth?
Ronaldo is set to win his fifth Ballon d’or award in Paris tonight, equalling Lionel Messi’s record.
The Real Madrid star will go down in football history as one of the biggest stars in the game.
At 32 and having played for Manchester United and Real Madrid he has won four Champions League crowns and won the European Championship with Portugal in 2016.
What is Cristiano Ronaldo worth?
Welcome
09.00: Welcome to the Express Sport live blog for the 2017 Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to equal Lionel Messi’s record of five gongs tonight and will be presented with the award at the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Ronaldo won the award last year and went on to win the Champions League and La Liga in 2017.
He has struggled domestically this year but became the first player to score in all six Champions League group games last night against Borussia Dortmund.