Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante has been named among the first five nominees for the Ballon d'Or 2017, France Football has revealed.
The prestigious award, which was aligned with FIFA from 2010 to 2015, has been won by either Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi for the past nine years.
Ronaldo picked up his fourth Ballon d'Or last year to move one behind Messi, and the Portugal and Real Madrid forward is odds-on favourite to make it five this time around.
France Football has opted to stagger out the nominees throughout Monday, with Kante among the first five players to be announced.
Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar, Real Madrid duo Marcelo and Luka Modric, and Paulo Dybala of Juventus have also made the shortlist of 30.
The Ballon d'Or is judged solely by a panel of journalists after FIFA and France Football ended their partnership in 2015.
In September, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar were nominated as finalists for the Best FIFA Men's Player award.
Ballon d'Or 2017 shortlist so far
Paulo Dybala (Juventus)
N'Golo Kante (Chelsea)
Marcelo (Real Madrid)
Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
Neymar (PSG)
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