Here are my tips for the forthcoming ceremony for the world's best player

The annual ceremony to award the best of the best in football returns to Zurich on Monday - but who will be going home with the top.

Lionel Messi is looking for his fifth consecutive Ballon d’Or title, whilst American striker Abby Wambach is also hoping to retain his women’s title.

Aside for the best player awards, there are coaching awards for the men’s and women’s team, whilst the goal of year award, known as the Puskás Award, will be dished out in Switzerland.

Ballon d’Or

1st Cristiano Ronaldo

2nd Franck Ribery

3rd Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo has been one of the most consistent performers since his move to Real Madrid in 2009, scoring 194 goals for Los Blancos.

Whilst no honours were added to his name in 2013, his leadership and commanding performances for club and country have put him above the rest, most notably his hat-trick for Portugal in their World Cup play-off second leg against Sweden.

Franck Ribery has won many team accolades in an unforgettable season with Bayern Munich, that includes the Bundesliga and Champions League titles.

Myself and many others believe that he simply helped the German champions, rather than guiding them like Ronaldo.

As for the current and four-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, 2013 was something of an off-season for the little master.

The Argentinian has managed just 45 goals, compared to his world record of 85 in the previous year.

Yet, Messi has struggled with injuries, most recently returning from hamstring injury that kept him out for almost two months.

Men’s Football Coach of the Year

1st Jupp Heynckes

2nd Jurgen Klopp

3rd Sir Alex Ferguson

Without a shadow of a doubt, Heynckes is clear favourite and my pick to win this award, after a record-breaking season with Bayern Munich.

In his final year of coaching the Bavarian club, he managed to do the treble, winning the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal Cup and the UEFA Champions League.

Yet, this does not tell the whole story, as it was not only that they won it, but the way they did.

Bayern set several new records, including becoming the earliest Bundesliga winners, creating an unassailable lead by the beginning of April, whilst also claiming the most wins in a season (29).

Despite being at the club for just two years, in his third term in Munich, Heynckes turned a team, who were knocked out at the first stage of the 2010 Champions League, to the most complete and probably best team in the world right now.

As runner-up, I selected Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp, as his side narrowly lost 2-1 to Bayern in the Champions League final in May 2013, whilst also finishing second in the Bundesliga.

Whilst Klopp won no major honours with BVB, he cemented his place as one of the best coaches of this generation, as his side continued to impress with their quick counterattacking football.

Sir Alex Ferguson, arguably the best manager to ever live, ended his 27 glorious years at Manchester United with his 13th Premier League title.

And while it was won by an impressive 11 points from reigning champions and arch-rival Manchester City, they were nowhere near as successful in the cup competitions as in previous years.

The Red Devils were unable to make any semi-final appearances in the cups, being knocked out by Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League.

In the League Cup and FA Cup, United lost in both to Chelsea, exiting in the fourth round and quarter finals respectively.

FIFA Puskás Award

1st Nemanja Matíc

2nd Zlatan Ibrahimovic

3rd Neymar

The Brazilian’s volley strike against Japan in the Confederations Cup, whilst brilliant, was a goal that has been seen all too many times, but the top two showed something special.

While individual skill is always admired, football is a team sport, and Nemanja Matíc’s goal for Benfica against Porto was truly amazing.

With the ball whipped in from the left wing, it was headed twice in the penalty before Matíc swung his left foot at the ball to smash it into the top corner and leave the goalkeeper, Helton, frozen to the spot.

That was enough to see me give it full marks and my belief that it deserves the award.

However, Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic follows closely behind.

Everyone will remember when Ibra had a field day against the English defenders, netting all of Sweden’s goals in their 4-2 win in November 2012 at their new national stadium, Friends Arena.

But it was his last goal that evening that showed his quality and initiative. England goalkeeper Joe Hart headed the ball away from his area, but Zlatan quickly turned before hitting a looping bicycle kick over the keeper and defenders, landing just under the post and into the goal.

Those are my predictions, what are your thoughts? Comment below.