Ballon d´Or shortlist announced

La Liga trio Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi Hernandez have been named on the three-man shortlist for the FIFA Ballon d’Or award.

It is the second consecutive year in which the three nominees for football’s highest individual honour have come from the Spanish top flight.

Messi is favoured to pick up a record-equalling third consecutive award after leading his Barcelona side to the Champions League title last season.

France legend and current UEFA president Michel Platini won the award on three straight occasions from 1983.

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2008, is Messi’s closest threat after scoring 53 times for Real last term and helping his side claim the Copa del Rey.

Xavi, widely considered as the best midfielder in the world, also made the shortlist last year alongside Barca team-mates Messi and Andres Iniesta.

Barca manager Pep Guardiola, Real contemporary Jose Mourinho and Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson were nominated for FIFA Coach of the Year.

In the Female Player of the Year category, titleholder and Brazil star Marta, Japan’s Homare Sawa and USA veteran Abby Wambach are nominated.

Bruno Bini (France), Norio Sasaki (Japan) and Pia Sundhage (USA) are the candidates for the Coach of the Year title in women’s football.

The winners of the awards will be announced on January 9 in Zurich.