Ballon d´Or nominees: Holder Cristiano Ronaldo headlines final group

Ballon d’Or holder Cristiano Ronaldo, the hot favourite to retain his crown in 2017, has been included in the final group of nominations for the award.

Ronaldo, who won LaLiga and the Champions League with Real Madrid last season, is joined by club-mate Isco in the last quintet of nominations revealed by organisers France Football.

Paris Saint-Germain sensation Kylian Mbappe is also included, along with Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci and Chelsea winger Eden Hazard.

All 30 nominations for this year’s prize have now been confirmed, following six separate announcements throughout Monday.

The last 5 nominees for the 2017 Ballon d’Or France Football : Cristiano Ronaldo, Hazard, Bonucci, Isco, Mbappé #ballondor pic.twitter.com/mWGc1WKnHu

— France Football (@francefootball) October 9, 2017

Last year’s other podium finishers, Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann, were among the earlier selections.

Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, PSG star Neymar and in-form Tottenham striker Harry Kane are also among the candidates.

Last year’s award, which was the first since France Football and FIFA’s collaboration ended, saw Ronaldo win the game’s most prestigious individual honour for a fourth time.