Monday, 1st December, 2014
FIFA has cut the shortlist for the 2014 Ballon d'Or to just three players, with two being very familiar names.
World football's governing body has whittled the list down to 2013 winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Ronaldo is the favourite to retain the accolade he picked up in January this year, with his goalscoring heroics showing no sign of stopping and Real Madrid having won the Champions League in 2014.
Messi meanwhile recently became the all-time leading goalscorer in the Champions League, while he helped Argentina to reach the World Cup final this summer.
Neuer owes his presence on the shortlist to Germany's World Cup success.
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The shot-stopper was in fine form throughout the tournament in Brazil and a key man as Germany took home the trophy.
The 2014 FIFA Ballon d'Or winner will be revealed at a ceremony held in January.
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