Chelsea icon Didier Drogba has announced he will be the man to crown the upcoming Ballon d’Or winner.

The glamorous ceremony takes place tonight, with stars from across the footballing landscape jetting to Paris as the 2023 honours are dished out. Karim Benzema won the prestigious men’s award, which crowns the best player from the previous 12 months, last year after helping Real Madrid win the Champions League.

That was just the second time in 15 years neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo scooped the award. But that streak is set to be reignited as Inter Miami superstar Messi will reportedly be crowned Ballon d’Or winner for an unprecedented eighth time tonight.

The 36-year-old inspired Argentina to their third World Cup crown - and first since Diego Maradona led them to glory in 1986 - to complete his footballing legacy. Messi’s main rival for the award is Erling Haaland, who bagged 52 goals across all competitions in 2022-23.

Those strikes helped Manchester City win the treble - a feat that has only been achieved once before in English football. Still just 23, goal machine Haaland has time to be crowned the world’s best before his playing days are done.

Former Chelsea striker Drogba revealed on Instagram that he will present the award this evening. He told his 15 million followers: “On Monday, we’re going to present the 67th ceremony of the Ballon d’Or France Football. And we are going to talk about the last two World Cups. We’re going to talk about the treble of Manchester City.

“And amazing individual performances, in men's and women's football, as well. So I see you on Monday. Are you ready? Who’s going to be the next Ballon d’Or (winner?)”