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.

Ronaldo wins Ballon d'or for the third time

Cristiano Ronaldo has been crowned with the 2014 Ballon d'Or award after being named as the world's best player for a second successive year.

The 29-year-old pipped Manuel Neuer and perennial rival Lionel Messi to the gong after a stellar 12 months.

Ronaldo played an integral role for Real Madrid as they won four trophies during the previous calendar year, scoring a stunning 56 goals in 51 appearances as the Spanish giants collected the Copa del Rey, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup. 

In his acceptance speech he said:

'I can see my mother, my family. I would like to thank all those who voted for me. My coach, my fellow player, the President of my club,' Ronaldo said after collecting the award from Thierry Henry.

'It's been an unforgettable year. To win this trophy, a trophy of this kind, is something unique and all I can say is I want to continue working as I have so far, trying to go on to more titles - individual and as a team - for my mother, my father who is up there looking at there any my son.

'I want to get better as the days go by. I want to say to all the Portuguese that I never thought I could win this trophy on three different occasions. 

'Of course it is something that is always with me, I want to become one of the greatest players of all time, and this requires a lot so I would like to thank you for all this evening.' 

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...