Fifa and France Football have revealed the names
of the three candidates who will fight it out for the
prize
Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer
have made the three-man shortlist for the 2014 Fifa
Ballon d'Or.
The Real Madrid attacker, 29, could win the
prestigious individual award for a third time after
lifting the trophy in 2008 and 2013.
Ronaldo played a key role in Madrid's successful
Champions League campaign last season, scoring
17 goals to set a new record for most goals scored
in the competition in one season.
Barcelona star Messi, meanwhile, is in contention to
scoop the accolade for a record fifth time, and has
hit top form in recent weeks to add weight to his
case.
The 27-year-old attacker did not win any major
trophies with Barcelona in 2014, but enjoyed a
successful season on a personal level as he
became both La Liga and Champions League all-
time top scorer in November.
Neuer, finally, makes the three-man shortlist for the
first time in his career and could become the first
goalkeeper since Lev Yashin in 1963 to be voted
the world's best footballer.
The 28-year-old won the Bundesliga title and DFB
Pokal with Bayern Munich, before crowning a
superb year by winning the World Cup with
Germany.
Other favourites such as Thomas Muller, Toni
Kroos, Arjen Robben and Philipp Lahm miss out on
a podium spot.
Fifa and France Football will announce the winner
on January 12 at the Fifa Ballon d'Or Gala.



Who do u think will nab the prestigious award?

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