Real Madrid Forward Christiano Ronaldo is the favourite to win the Fifa Ballon d’Or to be hosted in Switzerland on Monday.
The Portugal captain, 28, is named on a three-man shortlist for the prize, along with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery of Bayern Munich.
The three were chosen from a 23 man list, with the world player of the year to be crowned at a ceremony in Zurich.
Winners of seven other awards, plus the Fifpro World XI team of the year, will also be announced.
Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is vying with ex-Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes and Borussia Dortmund’s Jurgen Klopp to be named men’s coach of the year.
France Football introduced the Ballon d’Or in 1956 to honor the European footballer of the year, before it was expanded in 2007 to become a global prize.
Argentina forward Messi, 26, has won the award for the past for years, but is widely tipped to be beaten by Ronaldo on this occasion.
AUTHOR: ELIZABETH