THE KONGRESSHAUS IN ZURICH plays host to the world’s top footballers and coaches this evening for 2015 Fifa Ballon d’Or Gala (live on Sky Sports 1 from 5.30pm).
Among a number of awards up for grabs on the night is the Ballon d’Or, which will go to either Barcelona pair Lionel Messi and Neymar or their El Clasico rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Real Madrid goal machine has won the past two years after three consecutive victories for Messi from 2010 — when it merged with the Fifa World Player of the Year.
This time around, it’s the 28-year-old Argentine star who is favourite to take it once more after racking up 52 goals and 26 assists for the Spanish, European and world champions in the calendar year.
Nominees
Ballon d’Or: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar
Women’s World Player of the Year: Carli Lloyd, Aya Miyama, Celia Sasic
World Coach of the Year (Men’s): Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique, Jorge Sampaoli
World Coach of the Year (Women’s): Jill Ellis, Mark Sampson, Norio Sasaki
Puskás Award: Alessandro Florenzi, Wendell Lira, Lionel Messi
So, who should win the 2015 Ballon d’Or?