Ballon d'Or is an award to players who rated as the best in previous seasons. Quoted from BBC.co.uk (1/12/2008), at first Ballon d'Or can only be obtained by players European citizenship. In 1995, the award was extended to players competing in European clubs regardless of nationality. And in 2007 expanded again for all football players around the world.
Cristiano Ronaldo has earned 4 Ballon d'Or so far. He earned it in 2008, 2013, 2014, and 2016. With such a glamorous achievement last season, Ronaldo will no doubt be a strong candidate for this year's Ballon d'Or winner.
Reported by mirror.co.uk (24/7/2017), Ronaldo revealed 4 people who became rivals in the award Ballon d'Or.
"Competition to win the Ballon d'Or is always among the best players in this season, it's between me, Messi, Neymar, Lewandowski, and Higuain" he insisted when interviewed when the pre-season game tour.
"Competition for the award is very healthy and motivating" he continued again.