5 leading contenders to win the 2017 Ballon d’Or

#2 Sergio Ramos

Sergio Ramos became the first captain in history to lift the Champions League twice in a row

Real Madrid’s captain has been perhaps their most consistent player over the course of the season as a whole. The combative centre-back is the beating heart of the Bernabeu outfit, embodying the spirit and passion of the team, all the while offering a world-class presence in the middle of the defence.

Ramos, though, is more than just a simple defender; he is a genuine scoring threat, too, and often pops up when the stakes are greatest. His last-gasp equaliser against Barcelona in December’s Clasico came so late in 2016 it should come into consideration for this award, particularly as it proved so vital in the title race, and he also struck a vital late winner against Betis.

The 31-year-old does not play in a glamour position and is, therefore, something of an outside for such an individual award, but there is no doubt he is currently the game’s best centre-back and is integral to Madrid’s success.