Rivalries Continues As Ronald, Messi, Neymar make final Ballon d’Or shortlist

FIFA has named Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar as the finalist for the 2015 Ballon d’Or, which will be presented at a ceremony in Zurich on January 11, 2016.

The trio was selected from a 23-player shortlist named by the world football governing body in October.

Carli Lloyd of the United States, Aya Miyama of Japan and Célia Šašić of Germany were named the finalists for the women’s award.

Messi is considered a favourite for the award having led Barcelona to the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey glory last season.

Success would mean a fifth Ballon d’Or title for a fifth time, two more than rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Barcelona and Argentina ace made history by becoming the first player to win the award four times and is considered by many as the

greatest player of all times.

Messi and Ronaldo have claimed the last seven Ballon d’Or titles.

The candidates for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for men’s football are:

• Pep Guardiola – Spain/Bayern Munich;
• Luis Enrique – Spain/Barcelona;
• Jorge Sampaoli –Agentina/Chilean national team.

Finalists for FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s football are:

• Jill Ellis (USA/USA national team);
• Mark Sampson (Wales/English national team);
• Norio Sasaki (Japan/Japanese national team). 

FIFA said all of the nominees were confirmed after a voting process, which was open to the captains and head coaches of the men’s and women’s national teams of the 207 member associations as well as international media

representatives selected by FIFA and France Football.

Meanwhile, the nominees for the FIFA Puskás Award for the “most beautiful goal of the year” are:

• Alessandro Florenzi, for his goal for AS Roma against Barcelona in the Champions League; 
• Wendell Lira for is goal for  Goianesia against Atletico-GO;
• Lionel Messi for his goal for Barcelona against Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final.

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