On Monday evening, FIFA named Cristiano Ronaldo, Manuel Neuer and Lionel Messi, as the three finalists in the running for the 2014 Ballon d’Or prize.
Real Madrid’s Ronaldo is the hot favourite to clinch the prize for the third time – he is the current holder and also won it in 2008. The attacker played a key role as the La Liga side clinched their 10th European Cup and also won the Copa del Rey.
Neuer has only conceded 13 times this year. The Bayern Munich and Germany stopper, could become the first goalkeeper to win the prize since Lev Yashin took it in 1963. The 28-year-old won the Bundesliga title and DFB Pokal, before crowning a superb year by winning the World Cup with Germany.
Barcelona forward Messi is also in the race to win it for a fifth time. The Argentina captain did not win any major trophies within the year in review, but enjoyed an impressive personal campaign.
The winner will be announced on January 12, at the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala.
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