Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi one seat apart at Ballon d'Or ceremony

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo and his Barcelona rival Lionel Messi are reportedly sat just one seat apart from one another at tonight's FIFA Ballon d'Or ceremony.

Both footballers are in contention for the gong, but Ronaldo has been tipped to take the award from Messi, who has received the honour four times in a row.

Despite the two being fierce rivals on the pitch, photographs have emerged on Twitter showing that the duo will be sat very closely when the announcement is made in Switzerland.

Ronaldo has not won the Ballon d'Or since 2008.

Take a look at the seating plans below:

Cristiano Ronaldo will be sitting next to Messi during today's Ballon d'Or Gala. pic.twitter.com/lQpa1sPH8m

— SocialRMadrid (@SocialRMadrid) January 13, 2014