Right, we're edging ever closer to finding out the winners of the men's and women's Ballon d'Or.

But first the audience is watching some sort of dance act.

Ballon d'Or

The Socrates Award goes to the Xana Foundation which is dedicated to providing comprehensive support to children and young people with life-threatening illnesses. The foundation was launched by Paris St-Germain boss Luis Enrique following the death of his daughter Xana aged nine in 2019 after a battle with a rare form of bone cancer.

Ballon d'Or

Now it's time for the Socrates Award - awarded to a player who has made significant contributions to social initiatives and humanitarian causes.

And the winner is...Paris St-Germain.

No surprise really.

Champions League, Ligue 1, French Cup, etc, etc.

Image source, Getty Images

DJ Snake is now going to announce the men's club of the year.

Ballon d'Or

Arsenal managers Renee Slegers speaking on stage after the European champions were named women's club of the year: "Wow. Thank you so much. It's a true honour for Arsenal to be recognised as Women's club of the year and we are so pleased to be here tonight to accept this award on behalf of everyone connected to our club.

"I'm proud to stand here representing this club that has pioneered women's football for 38 years, since 1987, when we were founded as part of Arsenal Community. It's fitting that we are being celebrated here tonight as community is what we are building at Arsenal women.

"I'd like to thank our owners, Stan and Josh [Kroenke], the board, Claire [Wheatley] and everyone across the club that strives every day to give us the best possible conditions to make it possible to do what we want to.

"Finally I can't stand here and not reference our wonderful supporters, who are, and have always been, such an integral part of who we are as a club. Driving us to play in front of sold out crowds at Emirates stadium. We truly could not achieve any of this without you all.

"Invest in women. Invest in women's sport. When we do that, all of us benefit."

A bitter-sweet night for Luis Enrique.

His PSG side have lost 1-0 away to Marseille in Ligue 1.

Ballon d'Or

PSG manager Luis Enrique speaking on a video after winning the men's coach of the year award: "It is time for me to thank so many people. First of all I would like to thank my family. It is a special award for them too. Then I would like to thank everyone from Paris St-Germain, everyone makes this club what it is. And of course the players, because they accomplished an incredible year.

"I would like to thank two very special people. First president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who always looks after the team, and also Luis Campos, we have always shared a special relationship."

Arsenal have won the Women's Club of the Year Trophy.

That's Champions League winners Arsenal.

Image source, Reuters

Ballon d'Or

More from England and Chelsea's Hannah Hampton: "Firstly I would like to say a massive thank you to France Football for this award. I don't think it's an achievement for me but for women's goalkeeping, that the award is finally now taking part.

"I stand on the shoulders of so many great goalkeepers of the past. Sitting alongside my fellow nominees, I'm proud to be a part of such an incredible group and inspiring future generations of goalkeepers coming through and training so hard.

"I'd like to thank my family, my brother who is here tonight, for the sacrifices that you made when I was growing up, driving me around everywhere so that I could fulfil my dream and be here tonight.

"To all the coaches, there's so many, from Frosty at Stoke, to all the coaches at Birmingham, all those at Villa, at Chelsea with Emma and Strew bringing me in, and now with Seb, Dan and Sonia having to put up with me on a daily basis. To Sarina and Dan for having the faith in me over the summer, with the success we've had. To the fans, your support does not go unnoticed and it truly means a lot.

"Finally, to Grandpa. I love and miss you everyday. I hope I made you proud. We did it."

DJ Snake is on stage. Everyone knows who DJ Snake is, yeah?

Image source, Getty Images

England and Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton paying tribute to the late Matt Beard: "The women's game sadly on Saturday lost a real trailblazer, Matt Beard. Matt was someone who cared an awful lot for the women's game when no one else did. He lit up the room when everyone was in it. And this is just a message to show that not everyone should have to go through these dark moments alone. Sometimes the brightest smiles in the room hide the heaviest pain. He'll be greatly missed."

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The men's and women's Gerd Muller Trophy winners - awarded to the top scorer in club/national team in 2024/25 - have been announced,

Barcelona's Ewa Pajor wins the women's award and Arsenal's former Sporting forward Viktor Gyokeres wins the men's award.

Image source, Reuters

Now the ceremony is paying tribute to former Manchester United striker Denis Law - the only Scottish player to have won the Ballon d'Or - who died in January.

There is also a video tribute in memory of former Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, who died in July.

Ballon d'Or

Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma wins the men's Yashin Trophy for his performances during Paris St Germain's exceptional season in 2024-25.

Image source, Getty Images

Hannah Hampton is a real inspiration.

Born with a serious eye condition, she has now been named best women's goalkeeper in the world.

She's on stage now and pays tribute to Matt Beard, the former Liverpool manager who has died at the age of 47.