Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi & Manuel Neuer on Ballon d’Or list
Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer have been named on a three-man shortlist for this year’s Ballon d’Or prize, Fifa has announced.
The three were chosen from an initial 23-man list, which included Gareth Bale, and the world player of the year award will be announced on 12 January.
Nadine Kessler (Germany), Marta (Brazil) and Abby Wambach (USA) were shortlisted for the women’s award.
Real Madrid forward Ronaldo won the Ballon d’Or in 2013.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, Germany’s World Cup winning boss Joachim Low and Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone are on the shortlist for the Fifa coach of the year.
Portugal international Ronaldo 29, scored 51 goals in the 2013-14 season while helping Real Madrid win the Champions League.
He beat Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery and Barcelona’s Messi to the 2013 award.
Four-time winner Messi, 27, won the honour in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Read more at: BBC Sport
