FIFA Golden

There have been many reasons for why Brazilian star Neymar would move to France. Some have pointed out how he was at the shadow of Lionel Messi at Barcelona and how he needed his own space to shine.

Some others claimed the deal was all about money for the player, his family, more for being the World Cup ambassador and PSG getting the benefits on the pitch. Some other preferred the idea that Neymar badly wanted to win the Ballon d’Or – which might take him three more years to win when the Messi-Ronaldo war ends.

Not many would have believed at the start of the summer transfer window that Neymar would leave Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain but the world’s most expensive (and shocking) transfer has taken place. The Brazil international forward has decided to give up on playing with the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Andres Iniesta, and Gerard Pique to don the colours of PSG.

For many, this is a step down. After all, Barcelona have a far better squad than PSG and are also one of the top favourites to win the Champions League. Moreover, La Liga is a much better, more competitive, and richer domestic league than Ligue 1. Did money play a major role in the transfer? Probably. After all, it would have been hard for Barcelona to turn down a transfer fee of £200 million and, for Neymar, a weekly salary of £537,000 after tax.

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has taken time to name his Ballon d'Or rivals this year although he is a strong favourite to clinch the accolade.

The Portugal has won the honour on four previous occasions, and he is the favourite to clinch another title following his La Liga and Champions League double with Los Blancos. Ronaldo looked to be off the pace during the initial stages of the previous campaign but he still finished with 42 goals in all competitions for Real Madrid, who became the first team to win two consecutive Champions League crowns.

You have to go all the way back to 2007 to find the last winner of the Ballon d’Or who wasn’t either Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi. Since Kaka’s victory that year the two superstars have dominated the award with the Real Madrid man winning three out of the last four.

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has surprisingly picked an arch-rival to bag the Ballon d'Or title for the 2016/17 season.

The Spain international has been critical of the refereeing decisions towards Real Madrid over the past year, and this had created a rift between him and compatriot Sergio Ramos, who was sent off in the El Clasico at the Bernabeu last season.

On a night Jose Antonio Pizzi led Chile to their third consecutive trophy final, hashtags of Portugal and that of the South American country was always going to trend on Twitter.

And of course that of Ronaldo because, well, he is four-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo – the Galatico who somehow happens to have more twitter followers than Real Madrid itself.

Ligue 1 giant Paris St Germain have completed the deal for the son of former Ballon d’Or winner Geroge Weah, giving the first pro deal to Timothy Weah - now a United States youth star, committed to the Parc des Princes until 2020.

Weah won the 1995 Ballon d’Or while playing for PSG, AC Milan and Monaco. The former Liberia international was quite known for his skills and exploits during his time. His son, Tim was born in New York and has decided to follow his path.

Portugal international is on course to be named the FIFA Ballon d’Or winner for the fifth time in his career after guiding Real Madrid to a La Liga and Champions League double.

The Portugal international had his doubters at the start of the season despite his national triumph at Euro 2016. Ronaldo started the season late owing to an injury sustained in the final at Paris, but he managed to integrate quickly once he returned to full fitness.

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo could be awarded yet another Ballon D’Or title this year as he continues his brilliant run.

The Portuguese star has scored eight times in his last four Champions League games. With Real set to meet Juventus in the 2017 UEFA Champions League final in Cardiff, a victory for the Spanish side would see Ronaldo possibly lift the coveted prize this year.

Chelsea star Eden Hazard says that he can win the Ballon d’Or award even while playing for Chelsea.

The Belgian winger has often been seen as one of the best players in the world beyond the impenetrable circle of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The two players have shared the title of being the best player in the world for the decade. However, there is a great opportunity for other players to step into this title for the first time since 2007, as Ronaldo and Messi have shown signs of falling from the peaks. One of the players who may have a good shot at the title isHazard.