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Cristiano Ronaldo ‘beats Lionel Messi to be crowned 2016 Ballon d’Or winner’, according to leak

Champions League and Euro 2016 seals Portuguese superstar is fourth award — despite strong competition

ANDREW RICHARDSON

Published: 14:24, 6 Dec 2016

CRISTIANO RONALDO will win his fourth Ballon d’Or, according a leak.

After winning the Champions League with Real Madrid and Euro 2016 with Portugal, the forward superstar is red-hot favourite.

Cristiano Ronaldo has won a fourth Ballon d'Or award, according to a leak — Cristiano Ronaldo has won a fourth Ballon d'Or award, according to a leakCredit: Keystone

And report that interviews with the winners will take place on Thursday in order for them to be aired at the Monday ceremony.

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So Ronaldo — along with rivals Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann — will have been told the result in advance.

Cristiano Ronaldo receives third Ballon d'Or award from Thierry Henry in 2014 — Cristiano Ronaldo receives third Ballon d'Or award from Thierry Henry in 2014Credit: Getty Images

The 31-year-old won the award for the first time while at Manchester United in 2008, before Messi claimed his maiden gong a year later.

From 2010-15, Fifa presided over the award and the voting system changed somewhat.

Messi won the next three to become the first player in history to claim the award on four separate occasions — let alone in a row.

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of only five players to win Ballon d'Or on three occasions — Cristiano Ronaldo is one of only five players to win Ballon d'Or on three occasionsCredit: Getty Images

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Lionel Messi has won the award on five occasions, two more than anyone else — Lionel Messi has won the award on five occasions, two more than anyone elseCredit: Getty Images

Antoine Griezmann was the other strong contender for 2016 Ballon d'Or award — Antoine Griezmann was the other strong contender for 2016 Ballon d'Or awardCredit: Getty Images

Kaka was last man other than Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi to win award — Kaka was last man other than Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi to win awardCredit: Reuters

But Ronaldo came back in 2013 with his second Ballon d'Or, before becoming the fifth player to win three a year on.

Barcelona’s astonishing Treble success in 2015 ensured Messi extended his record to five.

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The duopoly looks likely to continue into 2017 where Ronaldo could eventually tie the great Argentine.

However, the likes of Griezmann, Gareth Bale, Neymar, Luis Suarez and even Eden Hazard could make a push to de-throne the annual one and two.

Kaka was the last other player to win the award.

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