Nesbitt is surprise host of Ballon d’Or

TV ACTOR James Nesbitt is the surprise co-host of FIFA’s Ballon d’Or Gala in Zurich on January 11.

The Hobbit star, 50, will host the show for the first time alongside multi-lingual sports presenter Kate Abdo, who fronted the event last year.

Northern Irishman Nesbitt (below) is a Manchester United fan and also donated thousands of pounds to save his local team Coleraine FC in 2003.

The three-man shortlist for the world player of the year award features two Barcelona players, Lionel Messi and Neymar, and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid.

Messi’s stunning dribble and strike against Athletic Bilbao in the final of the Copa del Rey is also up for the Puskas Award for the best goal of the year.

The Argentine is tipped to walk away with the top prize for the fifth time, ending Ronaldo’s run of two consecutive titles. Luis Suarez, the third member of Barcelona’s treblewinning front line, was a controversial omission from the shortlist.

With Messi and Ronaldo on the stage, the evening promises to be a glamorous event. Abdo says it was the chance to rub shoulders with such superstars which made her return for a second year.

‘When I was asked to participate in the Ballon d’Or last year, I thought it would be a unique experience,’ Abdo told FIFA.com. ‘To take part a second time is a privilege. You know who will be in the crowd, you see the red carpet, you saw all these legendary faces you’ve always admired as a journalist. ‘And then, suddenly, they are in the room and they listen to you.’