Ballon d'Or 2018: Top 5 leaked award winners

#3 Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)

Raphael Varane

In third place is Los Blancos defender Raphael Varane. He has been tipped by RFI journalist Eric Mamruth to finish in the top three behind Luka Modric and ahead of Kylian Mbappe.

EXCLUSIF #BallondOr : Après dépouillement de la moitié des votes, le trio de tête est le suivant: 1) Modric 2) @raphaelvarane 3) @KMbappe . Info @xbarretfoot @RFIRadioFoot @RFIsports

— Eric Mamruth (@MamruthRFI) November 9, 2018

The centre-back has had an impressive season for Real Madrid, having won a third consecutive Champions League title with the side. He was also a part of France's World Cup winning squad, thereby becoming the only player on the list to have won both top competitions.

If Varane manages to win, he would be the first defender to win the Ballon d'Or since Fabio Cannavaro in 2006.

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#2 Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)

Cristiano Ronaldo

Juventus ace Cristiano Ronaldo was initially thought to have been excluded from the top three this year, as reports of both Lionel Messi and the Portuguese's absence have been rife for months.

However, a Spanish radio show shattered the rumours by claiming that the former Real Madrid man will indeed make it to the top three, but will miss out on the award this time around.

🚨🚨🚨LUKA MODRIC será el BALÓN DE ORO 20181. Luka Modric2. Cristiano Ronaldo3. Antoine Griezmann Informa @Hectorfernandez en #Radioestadio pic.twitter.com/ZzuyMLbkL7

— Radioestadio (@Radioestadio) November 27, 2018

While Ronaldo's national side exited the World Cup in the early stages of the competition, the 5-time Ballon d'Or winner was incredibly successful with his former side Real Madrid, winning a third consecutive Champions League title in May.

Although the Portuguese is undeniably one of the best footballers in the world, his chances at the Ballon d'Or this year have dipped.