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Eight things you didn't know about the Ballon d'Or: From Sir Stanley Matthews being the first winner to the last nine years being dominated by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

Daily Mail | December 5, 2017

Related Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Stanley Matthews, Igor Belanov, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Raymond Kopa, Fabio Cannavaro, Michel Platini

It's the one the best players in the world want to win. It comes with the most prestige and each year the world's greatest player is voted on.

This year's Ballon d'Or ceremony is on Thursday, December 7 and will be hosted by David Ginola in Paris.

Here, Sportsmail takes a closer look at a few things you might not know about the award.

Cristiano Ronaldo is considered the favourite to win after a successful calendar year
Cristiano Ronaldo is considered the favourite to win after a successful calendar year
Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have dominated the Ballon d'Or over the last 10 years
Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have dominated the Ballon d'Or over the last 10 years

When did Ballon d'Or start?

See full article at Daily Mail