Real Madrid forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, is expected to take home his fourth Ballon D’Or on Monday night.
The 31-year-old won the Champions League for the second time in three seasons this year and also captained Portugal to their first major title at Euro 2016.
Francesc Aguilar, a well-connected journalist with the Spanish sports daily, Mundo Deportivo, claims that Ronaldo has already been awarded the prize and France Football who organize the award, will publish an exclusive interview afterwards.
France Football reporters reportedly flew to Madrid Thursday last week, to conduct an interview and take photographs of Ronaldo receiving the trophy
His great rival, Lionel Messi has won five Ballon d’Or, more than any other player, but is expected to finish second this year.
“For me there is no debate. The Ballon will be for him,” Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, said after Ronaldo’s hat-trick against Atletico Madrid .
“He showed it last season and he shows it again and again. We expect a lot of him but he stands above everyone.”
The Ballon d’Or will be decided by a vote of 173 journalists – national team captains and managers will no longer have a say.
Ronaldo first won the award in 2008 with Manchester United. He had to wait until 2013 to win his second and also won it the next year.