The Ballon d'Or ceremony starts at 19:30 GMT  as the best players in the world are crowned at the Theatre du Chatelet, in Paris, France.

The countdown started this afternoon though, as the identities of those players, male and female, who finished in position 30 and above are  being unveiled.

Lionel Messi is hotly tipped to extend his record and win a seventh crown.

Follow here for more updates as event unfolds;