Ronaldo has told Messi that he has been informed that he, rather than the Barcelona star, will be the winner.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been informed he will be the winner of the 2017 Ballon d'Or  (Real Madrid)

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has called his fierce rival Lionel Messi to inform him that he (the Portuguese star) will win the 2017 Ballon d'Or.

Having won the 2017 FIFA Best Player of the Year award, Ronaldo is expected to win the Ballon D’Or but his under performance this season has brought Messi back in contention.

Cristiano Ronaldo won the 2017 FIFA Best Player of the Year  (EPA)

An image has emerged on social media of what looks like the front cover of an edition of France Magazine- organisers of the Ballon d'Or- announcing Messi as the winner.

Ronaldo has however told Messi that he has been informed that he, rather than the Barcelona star, will be the winner.

A newspaper report in Suggests that Ronaldo has called Messi to inform him that he, not the Barcelona star will win the 2017 Ballon d'Or  (PA)

According to Spanish newspaper Don Balon, Ronaldo will win the 2017 Ballon d'Or, his fifth and also draw him level with Messi.

Ronaldo is the reigning holder of the Ballon D’Or, winning the 2016 edition after helping Real Madrid and Portugal to European titles.

Cristiano Ronaldo won the La Liga and Champions League double with Real Madrid in the year under review  (AFP/File)

In 2017 he won a La Liga and Champions League double with Real Madrid.

He scored a brace in the Champions League final against Juventus helping Real Madrid to become the first club in the Champions League era to win the title back to back.