Neymar on Ballon D'Or Shortlist Alongside Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo
It is the eighth consecutive year that Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been shortlisted for the Ballon D'Or.
Brazilian star Neymar has made the three-man Ballon D'Or shortlist for the first time, alongside Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi and title holder Cristiano Ronaldo. (Luis Enrique Sees Ronaldinho Traits in Neymar)
Ronaldo has won the world's top player award for the last two years after ending Messi's four-year winning streak. (Neymar Could be Forced to Leave Barcelona, Says Father)
The winner is announced at a gala in Zurich on Jan. 11 when a series of other awards are handed out.
The coach of the year shortlist features one from a national team - Chile's Copa America winner Jorge Sampaoli - alongside Bayern Munich's Pep Guardiola and Barcelona's Luis Enrique.
The women's player shortlist is headed by American World Cup winner Carli Lloyd, Aya Miyama (Japan) and Celia Sasic (Germany). Two of the same nationalities are represented on the coaching shortlist: Jill Ellis (US), Mark Sampson (England) and Norio Sasak (Japan).