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This year's event takes place in Zurich and features a whole host of awards, including men's and women's coaches of the year, Puskas award and more.
We'll also find out the FIFPro world XI. Follow our live coverage here throughout the afternoon.
Puskas Award
Over 1.6million people have voted on the Puskas Award for goal of the year, says James Nesbitt, annoyingly.Japan legend Hidetoshi Nakata announces the winner... and it’s Wendell Lira!
The unknown Brazilian looks a bit shell-shocked, as well he might.
Here's Leona Lewis (!)
Leona Lewis is singing now.There may be a distinct lack of Premier League players present tonight, but you cannot deny that the UK is a cultural powerhouse, can you?
Ronaldo's day of grimaces
When you’re Cristiano Ronaldo, you don’t do second place. You do trophies. You do accolades. YOU ONLY EXIST FOR VICTORY.So, last year’s Ballon d’Or gala - when you knew you that big golden ball was coming your way - was a scream. The year before - when you turned up with victory virtually in the bag? An equally marvellous day out.
But the 2015 Ballon d’Or gala? That is not your idea of a good time. That is your worst nightmare. Because, despite being Cristiano Ronaldo, you’re expected to attend… despite knowing you’re not going to win.
Check out Ronaldo’s day, as told in moody photos, here.
Celia Sasic aiming for new heights
The third nominee for women’s World Player of the Year is here.Celia Sasic of Germany says she’s only getting started.
“I always aim to score goals. That’s what I enjoy.
“I’m looking forward to more challenges.”
Ronaldo: I love to make people happy
Here comes Cristiano Ronaldo, who comes out grinning that million-dollar smile.“My job is to help my team,” he says. “To score goals, make assists.
“This is what I love, to make people happy.
“It’s great. I’m a glad person and feel so special for that.
“My goal is always to be at the top level every season. It’s a challenge.
“I’m still young. I still want to play more years of football and make people happy.”
Caption competition
Lionel Messi leans over.“Pssst!”
Cristiano Ronaldo turns, slowly. “WHAT?”
“Where’s Irina?”
Strong suit game from Samuel Eto'o
It’s time for the Fair Play award, but first some pressing business.This is the suit Samuel Eto’o chose to wear this evening.
We’d love him to talk us through it. It’s... interesting.
Aya Miyama delighted to be nominated
Aya Miyama, the second candidate for women’s World Player of the Year, is next to the stage.“It’s an honour to be invited,” she says. “
“I’d be very happy if I won this award.”
Key event
Men's coach of the year
The nominees for this award are Pep Guardiola of Bayern Munich, Luis Enrique of Barcelona and Chile boss Jorge Sampaoli.The gong goes to... Luis Enrique!
He’s not at the ceremony, so his trophy is picked up by Barça director Robert Fernandez.
“The other candidates have a lot of quality,” he says.
“Luis would have me share this present with all those who supported him, including the staff, the fans and our incredible players.”
Key event
Women's coach of the year
England coach Mark Sampson is among those up for the Women’s Coach of the Year gong.But he misses out to Jill Ellis, who took the USA to World Cup glory last summer.
“This is really a team award,” she says, before thanking her family and fellow nominees.
Lionel Messi takes to the stage
The first of the Ballon d’Or nominees to speak is Lionel Messi.But first, Ezequiel Lavezzi talks up his Argentina team-mate in a special video.
“He has exceeded all expectations. He’s breaking all the records. Who knows where he will stop!
“He has the personality and ability to make the difference when his team needs him.
“He can scored any type of goal.”
Messi then comes out with a grin speaks about his year, including his injury:
“It was a two tough months, watching my team-mates play without me.
“I spent my time trying to recover, spending time with my family.”
Carli Lloyd reveals her secret
Carli Lloyd, one of the nominees for women’s World Player of the Year Award, makes her way to the stage.“I’m rugged, raw and want to win,” she says when asked to explain her secret.
“I’ll do whatever it takes.”
That Nesbitt selfie horror show
Here’s a picture of James Nesbitt’s moment to forget.We’re all shuddering at the thought, but at least Paul Pogba has regained his composure to talk to Kate Abdo.
“It’s an honour to be here for the first time with players of this calibre,” the Frenchman says.
Key event
FIFPro World XI
We now move on to the FIFPro World XI. Samuel Eto’o, wearing a horrendous shiny suit, hands out the trophies to:- Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer
- Defenders: Dani Alves, Sergio Ramos, Thiago Silva, Marcelo
- Midfielders: Andres Iniesta, Luka Modric, Paul Pogba
- Forwards: Neymar, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo
Puskas Award contenders
First business of the evening is the Puskas Award for the best goal of 2015.We’re shown goals 10-4 and there are some absolute stunners...but the winner will be either Lionel Messi, Alessandro Florenzi or unknown Brazilian Wendell Lira.
Voting closes in about half an hour.
Neymar: It's a dream come true
Neymar cannot hide his delight to be up for the Ballon d’Or.“It’s a dream come true to be here with Ronaldo and Leo.
“I hope to be here again in the future with my idols.
“It’s a very special evening.”
Here we go then!
James Nesbitt kicks off the evening with... a group selfie. Awkward in the extreme.He then implores Cristiano Ronaldo to rejoin Man United before asking him about his motivation.
“I keep working, keep dedicating myself 100 per cent,” he says.
“I want to play for more years, be the best always.
“This is my goal. I’m still fit, still young.
“This is what i like.”
It's almost time for the ceremony
We’ll be going live to the ceremony very soon, to find out which of the big three (it’s Messi) will win the Ballon d’Or (Messi).Time for a few more snaps of footballers signing autographs first.
Look at Thiago Silva’s unmatchable pen technique here. Superb.
Luka Modric is also an artist with the biro.
Here come those fabulous Barça boys
Lionel Messi is the hot favourite to walk away with the top prize tonight.Here he is signing some autographs on the red carpet ahead of the ceremony.
A couple of his Barcelona pals are also in the house:
Ronaldo in demand
Cristiano Ronaldo also looked impeccably cool in the pre-awards press conference earlier.He’s also been making his way up the red carpet to the ceremony hall. Or whatever it’s called.
He even posed for a photo with a fan who looks like a young Ruud van Nistelrooy:
Neymar looking relaxed
Most people would be shaking at the prospect of tonight’s ceremony.But Neymar is not most people.
In fact, the Barcelona man looks as relaxed as if he was taking a stroll down to the local Spar shop to buy a Freddo and a can of fizz.
Although that hat probably cost more than most of our houses.
Here's Leona Lewis
No, we have no idea either.Answers on a postcard please.
Ramos and Pogba pitch up
More red carpet action from Zurich, because we know you want this to be more like a Big Brother live blog.Here’s Sergio Ramos with his wife, and Paul Pogba, whose choice of suit is...
...well, we’re not really sure what to make of it.
Video: The big three arrive
Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar are all present and correct.One of them will win tonight’s main gong... but for now, all eyes are on their outfits.
Looks like Messi has toned things down a touch this year, sadly...
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Let's talk about Neymar's taste in hats
There are a few blurry pictures knocking around of Neymar wearing a natty little pork pie hat to tonight’s ceremony.Confirmation of that when we get it, but in the meantime, let’s look at the publicity shots released by FIFA earlier.
It’s another controversial choice from the Brazilian up top...
Messi on Neymar's amazing rise
With Neymar widely expected to one day win the award for himself, Lionel Messi was asked if 23-year-old Neymar might be his heir.But it was talk that the Argentine skipper was keen to shut down.
“Neymar as my successor? No, he’s his own man.
“He has everything to become whatever he wants to be.
“He’s a great player and a great human being.”
More red carpet arrivals
We’re now only an hour away from the Ballon d’Or ceremony.Here are the latest pictures from the red carpet, where football’s great and good are gathering.
Acting FIFA president Issa Hayatou and his partner have arrived, as has USA goalkeeper Hope Solo:
Neymar declares love for Messi
Neymar has revealed that Lionel Messi has become his idol after getting to work with the Argentine superstar on a daily basis.Messi is in line to win his fifth Ballon d’Or award in Zurich this evening.
And as the Barcelona pair spoke alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in a press conference ahead of the star-studded gala , Neymar declared just how much admiration he has for his teammate.
“I work with Leo every day, so I admire him not only on the pitch, but also off the pitch,” Neymar said.
“I have fallen in love with him, he’s an idol and an example.”
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