Ballon d’Or 2014: Ronaldo, Messi, Neuer on final shortlist

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer make up the final shortlist for the 2014 FIFA Ballon d’Or award.

The 23-man shortlist was reduced by experts from the FIFA Football Committee and France Football on Monday December 1.

Ronaldo, the 2013 winner, is clear favourite to retain the title after a sparkling year with Real Madrid, who he helped to the Champions League title.

Four-time winner Messi continues his individual battle with the former Manchester United player, with the duo almost exclusively fighting for football’s biggest individual accolade over the last six years.

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Neuer is looking to gatecrash the party and become the first goalkeeper to win the award since Lev Yashin in 1963 after his heroics won the World Cup for Germany.

Carlo Ancelotti, Diego Simeone and Joachim Low make up the three-man shortlist for the coach of the year award after their respective Champions League, La Liga and World Cup triumphs.

Ireland’s Stephanie Roche, James Rodriguez and Robin van Persie have seen their goals nominated for the Puskas Award for the best goal of 2014.

The final ceremony will take place in Zurich on January 12, 2015.