2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or: Where to Watch Gala Live and Preview

Follow live coverage of the 2013 Fifa Ballon d'Or ceremony here

Cristiano Ronaldo wins 2013 Ballon d'Or

The 2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or winner is due to be announced in Zurich as Real Madrid's Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich's treble winning midfielder Franck Ribey make it to the three-man shortlist.

Where to Watch Live

The ceremony will start at 5:30pm GMT. Live coverage is on British Eurosport. Catch live updates of the event FIFA's official website.

Overview

Rondalo, Messi and Ribery have made it to the final shortlist from among 23 players, which included Manchester United's Robin van Persie, Chelsea star Eden Hazard, Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, Manchester City's towering midfielder and African Player of the Year Yaya Toure.

Ronaldo's form in the first half of the year saw Madrid make it to the semi-final of the Champions League, before losing out to Borussia Dortmund in the penultimate round of the competition.

The former United star continued his impressive run during the start of the current campaign, which has seen him being the top scorer in the La Liga with 20 goals and was also the leading scorer in the group stages of the Champions League this term.

Ronaldo played a crucial role in helping Portugal seal a place in the 2014 World Cup as his goals in both legs in the qualifiers against Sweden saw his national side make it to the summer competition in Brazil. He won the Ballon d'Or in 2008 while still with former club United.

Messi has won the Ballon d'Or for four years in a row and is currently the holder of the prestigious award. The Argentine international helped the Catalan club regain their dominance in Spain as they won the La Liga from Real last season.

The 26-year-old helped his side progress to the semi-final of the European competition, only to lose to eventual winners Bayern. His goal scoring credentials have seen him reach one step closer to winning the Ballon d'Or for a record fifth time in a row.

Meanwhile, Ribery marked his way to the final three after playing a crucial role in the German side's treble winning campaign last season. They went on to win the Champions League after defeating Dortmund in the finals, before lifting the league title from Jurgen Klopp's side.

Bayern also won the German Cup and Ribery was an integral part of the German side in helping them win three competitions, before clinching the FIFA Club World Cup in December. The French international has continued his fine form under the guidance of Pep Guardiola at Allianz Arena as they look for another treble this season.