When it comes to football awards these days, we pretty much know the winners before they've officially been announced.
Cristiano Ronaldo winning the Ballon d'Or for the fourth time back in December 2016 was one of the worst kept secrets in football, as was the Team of the Year which was also released at a ceremony, but circulated well in advance.
And it appears as though the pattern will continue with the 'FIFA: The Best' awards.
Having ended their partnership with France Football, the world football governing body created their own separate awards, which includes best men and women's players, coach of the year, Puskas award, fair play award and others.
Image: PA
Cristiano Ronaldo was the recipient upon the resurrection of the award last year and he is undoubtedly the favourite to scoop the gong for the second time at Monday's ceremony in London.
However, Spanish daily MARCA are saying that it's already a given that Ronaldo is winning The Best FIFA Men's Player trophy.
Images: PA
They report at the Palladium Theatre, following a 42-goal season that helped Real Madrid win La Liga and the Champions League, retaining the latter trophy after winning it a year prior, Ronaldo will be crowned the winner.
His rival Lionel Messi will be in second, as per MARCA, and will be joined on the podium by his former Barca teammate Neymar, who is said to have finished third.
It's no surprise to read that Real Madrid have dominated the awards, with Zinedine Zidane set to pick up the The Best Men's Coach award after being pipped by Claudio Ranieri a year earlier.
Image: PA
Five of Zidane's Los Blancos charges are in line to make the World XI, with Ronaldo joined by Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
Do you think MARCA are spot on in who is going to win? Would you agree if their report proves to be true?
Sound off in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Football, Zinedine Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid