Real Madrid pair Marcelo and Luka Modric along with Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar are among the first five nominees for the Ballon D'Or, it has been announced by France Football.
Juventus' Paulo Dybala and N'Golo Kante of Chelsea are also on the list that the French publication released on Twitter.
During the day, France Football will give the full 30 candidates and the winner will be chosen by the votes of selected international journalists while national team captains and coaches no longer have a say since FIFA stopped taking part in 2010.
Ronaldo is the big favourite to win the award for a fifth time having been chosen in 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2016, and in so doing would match the total of Messi who was picked in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015.