Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been named among the final three candidates for the 2014 FIFA Ballon d'Or.
Last year's winner is set to vie with the four-time champion for the coveted individual prize once more, while Manuel Neuer, as expected, joins the duo in completing the shortlist.
Ronaldo lifted the Copa del Rey and Champions League with Real Madrid last season, along with firing Portugal to the World Cup finals, and was recently backed by many of his club colleagues to defend his prize.
Messi, meanwhile, missed out on the Ballon d’Or last year but is in with a shout to regain the accolade after reaching the World Cup final with Argentina and enjoying another productive year at Barcelona.
On the other hand, Neuer could become the first goalkeeper to win the award since Lev Yashin in 1963 following a triumphant year which saw him lift a domestic double with Bayern Munich and the World Cup with Germany.
The winner of the 2014 Ballon d’Or will be decided on January 12 in Zurich.
