The Best Fifa Football Awards 2016 as they happened

That just about wraps up our live coverage of the inaugural Best Fifa Football Awards. Thanks for joining us and be sure to stay tuned to IBTimes UK for post-ceremony reaction.

Before we leave you, here's a full rundown of tonight's winners...

In all seriousness, what a year 2016 was for Ronaldo. He scored 16 goals in 12 matches to help Real Madrid seal an 11th European title and even notched the winning penalty in a final shootout against rivals Atletico in Milan.

Being withdrawn in tears during the first half of the Euro 2016 final against France was a bitter pill to swallow, but the four-time Ballon d'Or winner certainly played his part in leading Portugal to their first major tournament triumph.

He has long since secured near top billing in the pantheon of all-time footballing greats.

It's Ronaldo. Who saw that coming?!

Fifa president Gianni Infantino takes the stage for the main award of the night - the Best Men's Player 2016.

Will Ronaldo win as expected, or can the absent Messi spring a surprise? We are about to find out...

Lloyd takes it. The United States and Houston Dash midfielder, a double Olympic and World Cup champion, also won the Fifa World Player of the Year award in 2015.

After another musical interlude, Gabriel Batistuta comes out to present the penultimate award of the evening for Best Fifa Women's Player.

Melanie Behringer, Carli Lloyd and Marta are your nominees.

Penang's Malaysian playmaker Mohd Faiz Subri wins for his incredible 'knuckleball' free-kick notched against Pahang FC last February.

Be sure to check it out if you haven't already.

Here's the original Ronaldo to present the Fifa Puskas Award for best goal of 2016. This is always a good one.

An initial shortlist of 10 - featuring the likes of Messi, Neymar and Hal Robson-Kanu - was eventually whittled down to a trio of Marlone, Daniuska Rodriguez and Mohd Faiz Subri.

Brazilian futsal legend Falcao - no, not that one - receives the Fifa Award for an Outstanding Career from Andriy Shevchenko.

Claudio Ranieri beats Fernando Santos and Zinedine Zidane. Another memorable footnote in an extraordinary period for Leicester.

"I'm crazy now," says the Italian, who predictably invites guffaws from the crowd.

A certain Diego Maradona takes the stage to hand out the Best Fifa Men's Coach Award...

Colombian outfit Atletico Nacional deservedly win the the Fifa Fair Play gong, which was decided upon by a special panel comprising of Gabriel Batistuta, Marta, Howard Webb, Vladimir Petkovic and Adolf Ogi.

Chairman Juan Carlos de la Cuesta receives the award from former Barcelona stalwart Carles Puyol. It was given for the club's reaction to the Medellin air disaster that killed 71 people including 19 players and coaching staff from Brazilian club and Copa Sudamericana final opponents Chapecoense.

Here's a snap of the Fifa FIFPro World 11 winners, minus the Barcelona players of course, receiving their trophies earlier this evening...

Silvia Neid wins it. The 52-year-old World Cup winner guided Germany to Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro before stepping down to take up a scouting role with the German Football Association (DFB).

Frank Rijkaard will reveal the winner of the The Best Fifa Women's Coach Award next.

The USA's Jill Ellis, former Germany head coach Silvia Neid and Sweden's Pia Sundhage are the trio in the running for this one.

A statistical breakdown reveals that Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund supporters received 45.92% of the vote. Iceland, whose football federation have pointed out on Twitter that fans in the country have been unable to access Fifa's live stream of the ceremony, achieved 31.37% following their exploits at Euro 2016 and ADO Den Haag supporters 22.71%.

The latter were widely praised for showering sick children from Sophia's Children's Hospital in Rotterdam with cuddly toys during an Eredivisie clash against Feyenoord in September.

Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund supporters pick up the award for their spine-tingling rendition of "You'll Never Walk Alone" that was belted out in unison before last April's Europa League quarter-final second-leg tie at Anfield.

That, a mosaic and a minute's silence commemorated the 27th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.

Former Leeds favourite Lucas Radebe and Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbaeva are set to present this award, which was voted for by fans.

The nominees are ADO Den Haag supporters, Borussia Dortmund-Liverpool supporters and Iceland supporters.

After an emotional video paying tribute to footballing legends Johan Cruyff and Carlos Alberto, both of whom passed away in 2016, we move on to the Fifa Fan Award.

Griezmann appears to be the most surprising omission from that World 11, which is unsurprisingly dominated by players from Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Iniesta sends a video message from Spain apologising for his absence and that of his teammates from tonight's ceremony.

Fifa FIFPro World 11 winners:

GK: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)

DF: Dani Alves (Juventus)

DF: Gerard Pique (Barcelona)

DF: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)

DF: Marcelo (Real Madrid)

MF: Luka Modric (Real Madrid)

MF: Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)

MF: Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)

FW: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

FW: Luis Suarez (Barcelona)

FW: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

First on the agenda after a tedious explanation of the new trophies is the Fifa FIFPro World 11.

According to Fifa: "The award recognises the best players in each position based on their performances during the period from 1 December 2015 to 28 November 2016 inclusive. The winners are selected by over 45,000 professional players from around the world with each vote carrying the same weight."

After an entertaining performance from innovative American cappella group Naturally 7, Schreyl and Longoria take the stage.

Let's get this shindig underway.

Tonight's awards, we should mention, are being hosted by German television presenter Marco Schreyl and American actress Eva Longoria.

The man of the moment is in the house...

In a statement released earlier this afternoon, Barcelona confirmed that none of their recognised players will be present in Zurich as they prepare for Wednesday night's Copa del Rey round of 16 second-leg tie against Athletic Bilbao at the Nou Camp.

Men's Player of the Year nominee Messi was originally due to attend alongside teammates Gerard Pique, Andres Iniesta and Luis Suarez. His absence will certainly raise some eyebrows.

With the aim of prioritising preparations for Wednesday's game against Athletic Club, FC Barcelona have decided that the players recognised in the Gala The Best FIFA Awards, which takes place on Monday in Zurich, will not be travelling to Switzerland for the ceremony.

The club's delegation is led by president Josep Maria Bartomeu, sporting vice president Jordi Mestre, director Silvio Elías, CEO Oscar Grau, Albert Soler (director of professional sports), Robert Fernández (first team technical secretary) and Raúl Sanllehí (director of football).

FC Barcelona thank Fifa, its president Gianni Infantino and the executive structure for the organisation's help in being able to take part in today's Gala. The club expresses their recognition and support for the Best FIFA Awards.

Here is a list of the awards that will be handed out tonight:

The Best Fifa Men's Player Award

The Best Fifa Women's Player Award

The Best Fifa Men's Coach Award

The Best Fifa Women's Coach Award

The Fifa Puskas Award

The Fifa Fair Play Award

The Fifa Fan award

The makeup of the Fifa FIFPro World 11 will also be revealed alongside a smattering of other special gongs. Plenty to keep up us busy throughout the evening, you would hope.

Premier League interest tonight comes in the best men's coach field, where eccentric Italian Claudio Ranieri, mastermind of Leicester City's fairytale 5,000-1 title triumph, competes against Portugal boss Fernando Santos and Zinedine Zidane of Real Madrid.

Liverpool supporters have also been nominated alongside their Borussia Dortmund counterparts for the Fan Award. Iceland and ADO Den Haag supporters are also up for that particular prize.

After ending their six-year Ballon d'Or collaboration with France Football magazine, Fifa launch their brand new Men's Player of the Year Award tonight at a glitzy ceremony at TPC Studios in Zurich, northern Switzerland.

Having scooped his fourth career Golden Ball in December, Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is the overwhelming favourite to once again beat off competition from long-time Barcelona rival Lionel Messi and Atletico talisman Antoine Griezmann in recognition of a stunning calendar year that saw him win the Champions League and also captain Portugal to their maiden major tournament triumph at Euro 2016.

With many of world football's biggest names past and present having already descended onto the plush green carpet, coverage of tonight's bash is expected to get underway at 17.30 GMT.

You won't miss a trick with IBTimes UK.