MANCHESTER, August 22: Manchester United's Paul Pogba is the world's best midfield player and has the potential to win the Ballon d'Or in the next five years, the Frenchman's club and national team mate Anthony Martial has said.

MADRID, Dec 13; After giving a European Championship title to Portugal and another Champions League trophy to Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo ends 2016 with something just for himself — his fourth world player of the year award.

Come 8 p.m. (1900 GMT) on Monday, what looks to be a poorly kept secret will officially be out -- Cristiano Ronaldo will bag his fourth Ballon d'Or as the world's top footballer.

MADRID, Dec 7: Real Madrid Football Club forward Cristiano Ronaldo will be awarded this year's Ballon d'Or if reports in the Spanish press are to be trusted.

BARCELONA, Nov 7: Barcelona defender Gerard Pique feels club-mate Lionel Messi should have been awarded the World Footballer of the Year title each season since 2009.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will resume their perennial battle to be crowned the world's best footballer after they headed the shortlist of 30 players for the 2016 Ballon d'Or announced on Monday.