The countdown is on for this year’s Ballon d’Or and there’s good news for fans of Italian football with the news that Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon has made the final list of candidates. The award, which this year has returned to being the responsibility of France Football after recent collaboration with FIFA, will be assigned at the end of December but already today, the list containing the 30 players who have made the final cut will be released.
 

The clear favourite is Cristiano Ronaldo who won both Champions League and Euro 2016, alongside Real Madrid teammate Gareth Bale.  Also in the final 30 are Sergio Aguero of Manchester City and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Borussia Dortmund. The really big news for calico fans however, is that the 38-year-old Juve custodian, who is rolling back the years this eason with some outstanding displays both at club and international level, is on the list which will be confirmed in the next few hours.

Nominee for the Ballon d'Or France Football : GIANLUIGI BUFFON !#ballondor pic.twitter.com/q6vFAguFdb

— France Football (@francefootball) October 24, 2016

JUVE'S ARGENTINE DOUBLE:

As well as Buffon, Argentine strike duo Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain make up a Juventus treble in the nominations for this season's award.


Steve Mitchell @barafundler