The great and good of the footballing world have started arriving at London’s Royal Festival Hall for FIFA’s The Best awards.
Now in their third year, the awards ceremony honours footballers in seven categories.
As well as the top award, contested by Cristiano Ronaldo, Mohamed Salah and Luka Modric, winners will also be named for Puskas goal of the year, Best Fifa goalkeeper, men’s coach, women’s coach, fan award, fair play award and Fifpro World XI.
After a stunning debut campaign with Liverpool, Mohamed Salah is on the shortlist for the night’s main award
He will be challenged strongly by fellow nominee Luka Modric, who reached the World Cup final with Croatia in the summer
Despite his World Cup achievements for France and Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1, Kylian Mbappe is not a top nominee
Having left Chelsea in the summer to join Spanish giants Real Madrid, Thibaut Courtois makes a return to London
Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard pulls on his best suit for FIFA’S The Best Awards at London’s Royal Festival Hall
Brazilian Alves and England manager and former player Gareth Southgate shake hands after meeting at the event
Real Madrid full-back Marcelo meets FIFA eWorld Cup champion Mosaad Aldossary before the start of the event
Known for his outlandish style, PSG full-back Dani Alves is suitably resplendent with Joana Sanz on the green carpet
Former Colombia keeper Rene Higuita, famous for his Scorpion kick against England, was the next illustrious stopper to arrive
Having retired from football in August, Clint Dempsey and wife Bethany were guests at the Royal Festival Hall
Southgate, who led England to the World Cup semi-finals in the summer, stops for photos on the green carpet
Among those present for the event are England boss Gareth Southgate and Paris Saint-Germain full-back Dani Alves, who shared a word as they were entering the venue.
Two former long-serving England keepers also attended, with David Seaman and England’s record cap holder Peter Shilton taking time to pose for photos with their partners.
Clint Dempsey, who retired from football in August aged 35, was another big name in attendance at The Best Awards, which are in their third year after FIFA’s five-year association with the Balon D’Or ended.
Having turned out for Arsenal, West Brom and Portsmouth in his playing days, Kanu is now fully committed to charity work
Fans and supporters wait for photgraphs and autographs from current head coach of Germany, Joachim Low
Wenger’s former keeper David Seaman and wife Frankie Poultney arrive at Royal Festival Hall ahead of FIFA The Best Awards
Best coach nominee Didier Deschamps is ony the third player to win World Cup as player and manager
Pierluigi Collina, a professional referee for 18 years who won ‘Best Referee’ six times, was also invited to the ceremony
Ex-England boss Fabio Capello, who retired in April, was joined by wife Laura Ghisi in London
Edwin van der Sar, with wife Annemarie van Kesteren, spent five years as keeper for Manchester United from 2005
Sporting snazzy headwear and sharp pinstripes, this is one party Ronaldinho would not miss
Steph Shilton arrives with husband Peter, who remains England’s all-time most capped player with 125 appearances
Champions League-winning coach Roberto Di Matteo is the next Italian through the doors in London
Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is one of the first attendees to arrive at the event
Modric was in attendance with his family, wife Vanja and children Ivano and Ema as he vied for the top award of the night