The countdown is on for this year’s Ballon d’Or and there’s good news for fans of Italian football with the news that Juventus goalkeeperhas made the final list of candidates. The award, which this year has returned to being the responsibility of France Football after recent collaboration with FIFA, will be assigned at the end of December but already today, the list containing the 30 players who have made the final cut will be released.

THERE IS BUFFON:

Nominee for the Ballon d'Or France Football : GIANLUIGI BUFFON !#ballondor pic.twitter.com/q6vFAguFdb — France Football (@francefootball) October 24, 2016

The clear favourite iswho won both Champions League and Euro 2016, alongside Real Madrid teammate. Also in the final 30 areof Manchester City andof Borussia Dortmund. The really big news for calico fans however, is that the 38-year-old Juve custodian, who is rolling back the years this eason with some outstanding displays both at club and international level, is on the list which will be confirmed in the next few hours.As well as Buffon, Argentine strike duo Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain make up a Juventus treble in the nominations for this season's award.Steve Mitchell @barafundler