Lionel Messi, Franck Ribery, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth
Bale and Neymar are among 23 candidates on the
shortlist for the Ballon d’Or announced by FIFA on
Tuesday.
Ribery, who won UEFA’s best player in Europe award for
the 2012-13 season, helped Bayern Munich win the
UEFA Champions League and Bundesliga and German
Cup titles.
Messi, winner of the last four Ballon d’Or awards in voting
by coaches, team captains and media, was injured late in
the season and could not prevent Barcelona from being
beaten by Bayern in the Champions League semifinals.
The Ballon d’Or winner will be announced on January 13
in Zurich.
According to Skysports, Bale became the world’s most
expensive player when he joined Real Madrid from
Tottenham for 100m euros (£85.3m) in September after a
26-goal haul for Spurs.
But he faces tough competition for the prize from his
Madrid teammate Ronaldo – winner in 2008 – and
Barcelona forward Messi, who has won the award for the
last four years.
Five Premier League players – Manchester United striker
Robin van Persie, Manchester City’s Yaya Toure,
controversial Liverpool frontman Luis Suarez, Chelsea
winger Eden Hazard and Arsenal’s recent addition Mesut
Ozil – make the cut – but there are no English players
included.
Ribery is joined by club-mates Philipp Lahm, Thomas
Muller, Manuel Neuer, Arjen Robben and Bastian
Schweinsteiger while Barcelona also have Xavi, Andres
Iniesta and summer signing Neymar among the
candidates.
PSG trio Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani and Thiago
Silva have made the shortlist while fellow Ligue 1 big-
spenders Monaco have a contender of their own in
Radamel Falcao, acquired from Atletico Madrid in the
close season.
Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson,
who retired at the end of last season, headlines a 10-man
coach of the year shortlist along with Jose Mourinho,
Carlo Ancelotti and Spain boss Vicente del Bosque.
Punchng.com
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