MADRID: The winner of the 57th Ballon d'Or is all set to be announced tomorrow, Marca reported.

In build-up to the big occasion, French magazine 'France Football' spoke to sources close to Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Andrés Iniesta, who have revealed various interesting 'nuggets' about the three nominees for the prestigious accolade.

Messi's brother Rodrigo, for instance, offered an insight into the diminutive attacker's early days: "Every year he would ask for a football for his birthday and he would get a bit angry when he got something else."

Francisco Alonso knows Cristiano Ronaldo all too well, having taught him at school and been his first ever football coach.

"He was always up for having fun and he knew how to make the most of that freedom", the teacher recalled.

"Starting off by playing in the street, against kids who were older than him, helped forge his character. I really believe that it is thanks to this experience that Cristiano learned to be a leader from a very young age," said Alonso..

Like many, José Antonio Iniesta, Andres' father, never fulfilled his dream of playing professional football, so instead he threw all his efforts into making sure his son's dreams came true.

This humility was passed on from father to son, as the midfielder's wife, Anna Ortiz, explained: "I was just a normal girl and his rise to fame changed everything. But fortunately he's a very down to earth person, so our relationship was always very smooth. Andrés is just an average guy".

- mD

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