FIFA's The Best Awards - As it happened

FIFA's The Best Awards - As it happened

'I don't want to forget about Messi and Neymar'

Ronaldo wins Best men's player

Cristiano Ronaldo!

As expected, Cristiano Ronaldo is named the best footballer in the world. His goals helped Real Madrid to La Liga and Champions League glory and also sealed Portugal's qualification for the 2018 World Cup.

"Thank you a lot, the guys who voted for me. Real supporters, my team-mates, my coach, my president, I have to thank them

"And we are in England for the first time, and I win consecutive awards. This is a great moment for me. I know I have fans all over the world so thanks a lot for the support.

"It's great to be around great players, and I'm so happy guys!", Ronaldo said.

The Best FIFA Men's Player award goes to...

The best player in the world to be announced shortly...

Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar up for the award to the best player on the planet. Maradona will reveal the winner, along with Brazil legend Ronaldo...

Time for the stellar award...

Lieke Martens!

The Barcelona player, who was crowned Euro 17 champions with her country, wins the Best women's player award.

And the winner is...

Time for the next award, the best female player in the world

The FIFA Best female player to be announced. Deyna Castellanos (Santa Clarita Blue Heat/Florida State Seminoles), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash/Manchester City Women) and Lieke Martens (Barcelona Femeni) are the nominees.

Ronaldo revealed the key to his success

"Talent without work is nothing" was Ronaldo sweet response when asked about his personal success.

Time for music now

A short interlude in which a handful of stars were questioned by fans is followed by a live performance. Kasabian are on the stage.

Ronaldo and Messi in it again

For the 11th time in a row Ronaldo and Messi are in the World XI.

Your FIFA FIFPro #World11 for 2017 #TheBest pic.twitter.com/h8gNrTpMiX

— #TheBest(@FIFAcom) 23 October 2017

No Premier League players in the ideal XI

The best players in the world are on the stage now

Mostly Real Madrid players in the lineup and very few surprises. Every player in the best lineup in the world up on the stage to pick up their awards. 26,622 players from 71 countries voted for the team.

FIFA's ideal XI announced!

Gianluigi Buffon; Dani Alves, Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Leonardo Bonucci; Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Next up... a big award

The FIFA ideal XI will be announced by Frank Lampard.

Kone wins the Fair Play Award!

Francis Kone wins the Fair Play Award for his intervention in a Czech league game. The Togolese striker reacted quickly when Bohemians goalkeeper Martin Berkovec was knocked unconscious after a collision and stopped him from choking. 

Next up... Fair Play Award

Sir Patrick Stewart and  Marcel Desaill make their way to the stage.

And the winner is...

The award goes to Netherlands coach Sarina Wiegman, who led her side to Euro 2017 glory. She could not be in London tonight but left a video message giving thanks.

Next award to be revealed by Alex Scott and Ruud Gullit

The award to the FIFA women's coach is to be announced. Nils Nielsen (Denmark), Gerard Precheur (France) and Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands) up for the award.

Time to pay homage to Pele

The Brazil legend is also remembered tonight with a video of his goals and greatest moments.

And the winner is... Celtic!

The Scottish club's supporters are awarded the accolade to the best fans in football.

Samuel Eto'o to announce the winner...

The nominees are the supporters of Borussia Dortmund, Celtic and FC Copenhagen.

Next up is the fans award

A video about playing football with your heart...

An emotional video is played reminding football is much more than just a game. Totti's farewell, Athletic Bilbao's gesture for Yeray or Bradley Lowery's love for the sport feature.

Juventus' Italian keeper Gianluigi Buffon wins the award to the best goalkeeper. He won the Serie A and reached the Champions League final in 2016/17.

And the Best FIFA keeper is... Buffon!

Next up... the best goalkeeper

Peter Schmeichel to present the award. The nominees are Keylor Navas, Gianluigi Buffon and Manuel Neuer.

Zidane named the Best FIFA Men's coach

Zidane spoke in French and Spanish, and even a bit of Italian with some kind words for rivals Allegri and Conte.

Zinedine Zidane!

The French manager receives the award from Claudio Ranieri. His efforts with Real Madrid have been rewarded after lifting La Liga and the Champions League in 2016/17.

Next up, the best manager...

Claudio Ranieri is up on the stage to announce the award to the best coach of the season. Zidane, Allegri and Conte in contention.

Giroud wins the Puskas Award!

And the winner is...

Olivier Giroud! His strike against Crystal Palace on New Year's Day has been voted as the best goal of the season.

He appeared thankful: "It's an honour for me. I'm delighted to receive the trophy in front of all these legends. Thanks to those who voted for me and congratulations to the other nominees.

"Without my team-mates I couldn't have scored. While I would also like to dedicate this to my father."

The winner to be announced...

After Neymar, Messi and Ronaldo were asked their opinion on the best goal, Forlan is on the stage to announce the winner.

The Puskas Award to be announced first

A video with the ten initial candidates is shown. Giroud's scorpion kick is favourite.

Elba has gone down to the crowd, taking selfies with the likes of Neymar, Messi, Ronaldo, Giroud...

Elba has gone down to the crowd, taking selfies with the likes of Neymar, Messi, Ronaldo, Giroud...

The awards show is finally underway!

After a great football-themed performance, English actor Idris Elba has taken to the stage to present the awards.

Messi and Ronaldo's friendly handshake

No hay nada más grande que esta foto. Messi y Cristiano se saludan afectuosamente en la gala de #TheBestxESPN. pic.twitter.com/QdKEA1uV4o

— SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) 23 October 2017

Zidane, Conte and Allegri up for the gong

Zidane won La Liga and the Champions League, Conte the Premier League and Allegri the Serie A.

Buffon unsure over tonight's winner: 'I don't know who will win it'

The Italian keeper is up for the award to the best keeper along with Keylor Navas and Manuel Neuer. He gave no signs of preference when asked who would be named The Best footballer.

Under 10 minutes to go...

Plenty of tension in London tonight. Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar are in contention for FIFA's The Best Award. They are inside the London Palladium and eagerly waiting for the event to get started.

Ronaldo arrived with his son and girlfriend

#TheBest #Cristiano#King #Legend #GOAT pic.twitter.com/Ux9ZFsNhrA

— ShibashishChatterjee (@truthserum07) 23 October 2017

Nine global awards at stake!

A total of nine awards are to be handed out tonight. The Best male player, female player, male football coach, female football coach, best keeper, Puskas Award to the best goal, best set of fans, Fair Play award and FIFA's ideal XI.

The stars continue to arrive

LIVE
The stars are continuing to arrive in London ahead of #TheBest!
Follow every momenthttps://t.co/UyGB3MGsD2 pic.twitter.com/iowV23L2fU

— #TheBest (@FIFAcom) 23 October 2017

Not long to go...

Diego Maradona and Brazilian Ronaldo are among the famous faces on the green carpet at the London Palladium.

The celebrities begin to arrive!

Good evening! Welcome to the annual FIFA The Best Awards where the top male and female footballers of the year will be announced, among other accolades.

Join us for live updates of The Best FIFA Awards 2017 ceremony in London, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar up for the top honour