Ronaldo is expected to face competition from five-time winner Lionel Messi, Madrid teammate Gareth Bale and Atletico Madrid and France forward Antoine Griezmann for the award. However, his form has slumped since his return from a two-month injury layoff after suffering knee ligament damage in the Euro 2016 final.
Paredzams, ka cīņā par balvu Ronaldu galvenie konkurenti būs pieckārtējais šī titula īpašnieks Lionels Mesi, viņa komandas biedrs "Real" rindās Gerets Beils, kā arī Madrides "Atletico" un Francijas izlases uzbrucējs Antūns Grīzmans, kuru šonedēļ atzina par Spānijas čempionāta labāko futbolistu.