TWO PLAYERS OF THE YEAR? Are they the same as Ballon d’Or and why are there two different ceremonies in Fifa The Best Awards?

Cristiano Ronaldo is looking for another individual prize tonight, but why will he have another chance to add to his collection in December?

CRISTIANO RONALDO will discover if he is crowned FIFA Player of the Year for the third time in a row.

He faces a daunting challenge from his former Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric and Mohamed Salah, but he will also be a possible candidate for the Golden Ball in December.

Are the Fifa The Best Awards and Ballon d'Or awards the same?

No, they are not, but they used to be.

The Ballon d'Or was designed by the writer Gabriel Hanot and named Blackpool legend Stanley Matthews in 1956.

Between 2010 and 2015, the Golden Ball and the FIFA World Player of the Year organized a unique ceremony.

But they split up before 2016 fair, and the world's governing bodies are now organizing the Best Awards.

Why are there two different ceremonies?

The Fifa The Best Awards will be held TODAY at the Royal Festival Hall in London.

The title of Male Player of the Year is the main category, with eight other players, including the Women's Player, the Puskas Award and FIFPro's World11.

Shortlists for these awards are decided by representatives of the media, national team coaches and captains and the general public.

The final winners consist of selection panels composed of former players.

The Golden Ball has long had only one prize: the male player of the year.

But they are expanding to include a Women's Golden Ball and a Kopa Trophy, which will be awarded to the best Under-21 star.

The soccer journalists will decide on the two senior prizes, with a jury composed of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who will choose the young footballer winner.

They are expected to reveal this year's list in October before the December 3 ceremony.