2 Dec 2014

Ronaldo, Messi and Neuer up for award

6:08 am on 2 December 2014

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich and Germany's keeper Manuel Neuer have been named as the final nominees for the 2014 Ballon d'Or or world footballer of the year.

Ronaldo has 28 goals in 22 appearances this season while his rival at Barcelona Lionel Messi has 43 goals in 50 outings so far in 2014.

Lionel Messi celebrates his goal for Argentina against Iran at the World Cup.

Lionel Messi celebrates his goal for Argentina against Iran at the World Cup. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Neuer won the German league title, cup and World Cup this year.

The Argentina forward Messi has won the award four times before and made the shortlist for the eighth time in a row, with Portugal's Ronaldo, last year's winner, for the fourth time running.

Germany coach Joachim Loew, Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti and Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone were selected for the Coach of the Year award.

Germany football coach Joachim Loew

Germany football coach Joachim Loew. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The winners will be announced in January.

Germany midfielder Nadine Kessler, all-time leading USA goalscorer Abby Wambach and Brazilian Marta are the three names to make the women's shortlist.

The FIFA world player of the year award was founded in 1991 and merged with France Football's Ballon D'Or in 2010.

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