Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer Are Final Nominees For 2014 FIFA Ballon d’Or

It’s down to three players for the 2014 FIFA Ballon d’Or with Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer all making the final nomination for the much-coveted award in the world of soccer.

The two popular choices are Ronaldo and Messi owing to their great offensive skills and output but a defender like Neuer, who helped his national team to a World Cup victory, has its merits in winning the award as well.

Messi became the all-time top scorer in the Spanish La Liga with a total of 253 goals and also the top scorer in UEFA Champions League competition with a total of 74 goals. Messi also led Argentina to the finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil where he won the best player of the tournament award.

Ronaldo had an even worse time in Brazil as his Portugal team did not advance past the group stages. However, the 29-year-old forward finished the La Liga season as the top scorer for the league scoring 31 goals in 30 league games. Ronaldo also led Real to a Copa del Ray title and the 2014 UEFA Champions League trophy for the club’s 10th title.

Among the three short-listed final nominees, Neuer has had the most successful World Cup stint helping his country to the title over Messi’s Argentina in the final. Neuer also beat Ronaldo’s Portugal in the group stage, 4-0. Neuer allowed only 2 goals for the entire tournament in Brazil. Neuer also won the German league title in 2014.

Meanwhile, for the FIFA Coach of the Year award, three coaches are shortlisted; Joachim Leow of Germany, Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid and Diego Simeone of Atletico Madrid.

The FIFA Ballon d’Or, or translated to the “Golden Ball”, is an annual award given to the best soccer player who performed that year. It is based on votes from coaches, team captains and respected journalists from around the world. Messi won the inaugural FIFA Ballon d’Or in 2010 and the Argentine won three straight from that point. Ronaldo snapped Messi’s domination by winning in 2013 and is looking to start his own streak for the annual soccer award. The winner for the FIFA Ballon d’Or will be named in January.