Frenemies. Ronaldo and Messi no love lost

The best man won. This has been Cristiano Ronaldo's year, a 12-month carnival of extraordinary forward play. It has been so good, even the man who doesn't like him had to admit it.

'Yes, it was justified,' Lionel Messi noted through gritted teeth. 'It was deserved.'

Much is made of the tensions that exist between Ronaldo and Messi but this is not a rivalry to promote something. This antipathy is genuine and was evident from the moment they walked into a cavernous room in Zurich'sKongresshaus for a pre-ceremony conference. 

In marched Ronaldo first, peacock proud, chest puffed out; a glistening diamond in each ear, not a hair out of place, he looked every inch the superstar, a man who – with 31 goals in 30 La Liga games in 2014 – looking every inch the superstar.

Messi shuffled in next, ahead of Manuel Neuer, in a grey hoodie and jeans, appearing as if he had just walked out of the classroom. There had been anxieties within FIFA that Messi might not turn up for their big night and the Argentine hardly gave the impression of wanting to be in Switzerland.

He scored a staggering 56 goals in 2014 but, unlike his rival, he will not look back with any kind of affection; a failure to reach the last four of the Champions League, a lost World Cup final and recent simmering tensions at Camp Nou have knocked Messi from his pedestal.

Messi sparks more speculation rumors about his future at Barca

Lionel Messi has once again cast doubt on his Barcelona future by telling the world he does not know where he will play next season.

The Argentina superstar had shot down suggestions he would join a club in the Barclays Premier League after Barcelona’s 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

But during a press conference at the FIFA Ballon d’Or gala here in Zurich on Monday, Messi raised the prospect that, perhaps, he could be playing elsewhere by the end of the year.

It was the final question of a 30-minute press call and Messi was asked about whether he might consider bring his glittering career to a close back in Argentina.

Cristiano Ronaldo had been asked a similar question about whether he had ambitions for one final challenge but, rather than give a few anodyne quotes, Messi’s answer was far more cryptic.

Messi said: ‘I am not sure If I will go back to Newells Old Boys one day. I am not sure where I will be next year. I have always said I will end my career at Barcelona but as Cristiano said, only God knows the future. Things in football can change in football overnight.’

Compare that to Ronaldo, who said: ‘Who knows? Who knows? Only God knows. Listen, I am very happy at Real Madrid. I signed a new deal last year and I am very happy.’

Tensions with Messi and new Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique reached a peak last week when he was left out of the starting line-up for the 1-0 defeat against Real Sociedad.

He has subsequently scored in both his games since - against Atletico Madrid and Elche in the Copa del Rey - but this revelation will increase the scrutiny on relationship between Messi and Barcelona.

After the game in Sociedad, Messi fuelled speculation that all was not well by following Chelsea on his Instagram account, as well as Chelsea players Thibault Courtois and Luis Felipe. He also missed training the following day, complaining that he had felt unwell.

And the Ballon d'or goes to??

The three nominees for the men's award - Messi, Ronaldo and Neuer - as well as the three nominees for the women's award - Nadine Kessler, Marta and Addy Wambach - have been introduced.

They will be back later on so we can see exactly who claims those two coveted prizes.

Ronaldo shed tears of joy last year when picking up the Ballon d'Or.

Currently, a video is being played showing highlights from last year's ceremony - before the action gets underway.

Will there be dry eyes from Ronaldo tonight if he picks up his third award?

Ronaldo is the favourite to pick up the top prize tonight - and he has now returned to the ceremony clad in his finest suit.

The Real Madrid forward has enjoyed a phenomenal last 24 months and capped off last season by lifting the UEFA Champions League.

Would you really bet against him claiming the victory tonight?

The famous faces are flooding into the awards ceremony in Zurich as they walk along the red carpet.

Thierry Henry, Toni Kroos, as well as Sergio Ramos and his glamorous girlfriend are among the stars arriving on the red carpet.

Unfortunately FIFA president Sepp Blatter has just got there too - I suppose he does need to be there after all...