Real deal Ronaldo up for award again

CRISTIANO Ronaldo looks set to match his great rival Lionel Messi this evening by claiming a fifth Ballon d’Or as recognition for leading Real Madrid to a La Liga and Champions League double last season.

Messi, 30, Barcelona’s Argentine superstar, won the coveted award from 2009 to 2012 and in 2015.

Portugal’s Ronaldo, 32, took the honours in 2008, 2013, 2014 and last year.

The Portuguese star clinched his fourth Ballon d’Or after an unforgettable season, first spearheading Real Madrid to the Uefa Champions League title, before also leading his homeland to Euro 2016 glory in Paris.

The France Football magazine award is decided on by a journalists ballot (173 voted last year), with each naming a top five from a list of 30.

British bookmakers have stopped taking bets on Ronaldo, who is a cramped 10-1 on favourite to win, and Messi, without a trophy last season, at 6-1.

Behind this pair, the bookies round out their own top five – with Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian forward Neymar jnr, veteran Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and prolific England and Tottenham Hotspur centre-forward Harry Kane – all at 33-1.

The 2016-2017 season was in a way just as glorious for Ronaldo, who started it slowly, before Real shaded Barcelona to the domestic title, and then became the first modernera side to defend their European crown.

Ronaldo scored twice in a 4-1 win over Juventus in the final, taking his tally to 12 goals in the competition that season.

Real Madrid have a staggering seven players on the shortlist of 30 stars.