Lionel Messi, Franck Ribery, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Neymar are among 23 candidates on the short list 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 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.
Two now-retired managers – Alex Ferguson of Manchester United and Bayern’s Jupp Heynckes – are among 10 nominees for FIFA’s coach of the year award.
Ballon d’Or nominees (alphabetical order, nationalities): Gareth Bale (Wales), Edinson Cavani (Uruguay), Radamel Falcao (Colombia), Eden Hazard (Belgium), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Philipp Lahm (Germany), Robert Lewandowski (Poland), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Thomas Mueller (Germany), Manuel Neuer (Germany), Neymar (Brazil), Mesut Ozil (Germany), Andrea Pirlo (Italy), Franck Ribery (France), Arjen Robben (Netherlands), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Luis Suarez (Uruguay), Thiago Silva (Brazil), Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast), Robin Van Persie (Netherlands), Xavi (Spain).
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
That's well put AZ. Its true that Ribery has had his best season and has consistently performed all year round. Even for France he was at his best, which wasn't easy as they didn't play that well as a team. Will it be enough though? I dunno really. Messi and Ronaldo are such freaks that its hard to give it to anyone else but who knows.
Ryan
Guest
Did not see the match, but Messi has actually been out of form of what I have seen this year. Was very poor against Real Madrid and pretty ordinary against Milan I thought. Will have to lift significantly, as well as probaly getting a trophy double to be a real chance at the award,
AZ_RBB
Guest
If it is purely based on performances in the 2012/13 season I would have to give it to Ribery. He was the kingpin in a treble winning team. Not just any ordinary team but one that dominated domestic and continental football. He may not yet be at the level of Messi or Ronaldo, but his achievements and performances from last season were quite special. I know Messi has also been brilliant for Argentina whereas France have had mixed results but overall I will still back Ribery.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Watched Barcelona play Celta de Vigo (who played a cracker of a match for the record) and can say that the ball appears to remain glued to Messi's foot. If he maintains his form, Ozil may be in the running for next year though with a full year of Arsenal under his belt. It will also be interesting to see how many votes Lewendowski lands. The Champion's League run of Dortmund & Bayern last year may result in a few points heading the way of players from the Bundesliga.