Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to attend the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris on Monday evening for the first time in five years.
Ronaldo has won the prestigious award five times, but has not claimed the prize since his last attendance back in 2017. The 37-year-old Manchester United forward is on the 30-man shortlist for the 2022 award, unlike his long-time rival and seven-time winner Lionel Messi. In fact, he has made every shortlist since his first nomination in 2005.
Karim Benzema is the heavy favourite to win the 66th Ballon d’Or at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris – and that could offer a clue as to why Ronaldo is making the trip. Le Parisien reported last week that Ronaldo wants to make the journey across the English Channel to celebrate the achievement of his former Real Madrid teammate.
