Football fans are awaiting the FIFA World Player of the Year awards on Monday at La Scala, one of the world's most famous opera houses.
FIFA chose the stage in downtown Milan to host the fourth edition of its awards ceremony, where history was introduced amid the comedy opera performances of Giato Donizetti.
The three finalists in each of the eight individual categories do not need magic doses, but they need to be voted by journalists, coaches and national team leaders, with 25% of the total voting value allocated to the masses.
The awards will also go to the best 11 players and the best 11 players in the world, where a team of the best players and one for women will be selected, according to the best player in each tactical position.
The most important prize, the World Player of the Year award, will be highlighted by Virgil van Dijk, the Dutch defender of Liverpool's Champions League winners, Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentine Lionel Messi.
As Van Dyck strives to become the first defender to win the World Player of the Year award since Fabio Cannavaro won it in 2006, Ronaldo won the award in two of three copies of the FIFA Best of the Year award, adding it to the three awards he won when awarded in the name of the Golden Ball. ".
Argentine Lionel has won the Golden Ball award five times and is also competing for the Puskas Award for best goal last season, with Colombian pair Juan Quintero and Hungarian Daniel Zsori.
"I won three tournaments (the UEFA Europa League, the Serie A and the Super Cup with Juventus)," Ronaldo said. "I was just as good as always.
"The figures speak for themselves in 16 years. What else can I do? Do I deserve the best award? I don't know. I will leave that to you, those responsible for evaluating my performance. I will not do my own assessment."
Ronaldo's ambition, however, will be a big hit for Van Dyke this season. He has led Liverpool to the Champions League title and the last-minute competition for the English Premier League, as well as to the final.
The ceremony will see the award of the best goalkeeper, goalkeeper, best player, best coach and best coach for women, in addition to the award for the best fan competing for the Dutch national team, and the summer of the women's World Cup, as well as a Brazilian mother who took her child to attend Palmeiras team, and a father from Uruguay who changed his team A favorite of the team was encouraged by his deceased son.