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FIFA Ballon d'Or

The field of contenders has been narrowed down and the final shortlist has been revealed. The following three players remain in the running for the prestigious FIFA Ballon d’Or 2014. Join us for the official ceremony on 12 January 2015 to find out which of these three stars will be handed the coveted award and recognised as the best individual talent for the past year in world football.

The Finalists

• CRISTIANO RONALDO

• 

  PORTUGAL
• The year 2014 could not have started better for Cristiano Ronaldo, as he became the first Portuguese player to win the FIFA Ballon d’Or twice.

• Lionel MESSI

• 

  ARGENTINA
• The second-highest scorer in the Spanish La Liga last season, Lionel Messi put a trophyless campaign with Barcelona behind him by leading Argentin...

• Manuel NEUER

• 

  GERMANY
• Manuel Neuer has been the undisputed No1 in goal both for reigning world champions Germany and record German titleholders Bayern Munich for several y...

The other candidates

• Gareth BALE

• 

  WALES
• UEFA Champions League and Copa del Rey winners medals, 22 goals and 15 assists provide an impressive summary for Gareth Bale's first season at Real M...

• Karim BENZEMA

• 

  FRANCE
• Since Karim Benzema broke his 1,222 minute scoring drought in October 2013, the French international has been in scintillating form and was the ...

• Diego COSTA

• 

  SPAIN
• Diego Costa set Spain's La Liga and the UEFA Champions League alight scoring 36 goals throughout Atletico Madrid's 2013/14 season, and the Brazil-...

• Thibaut COURTOIS

• 

  BELGIUM
• Thibaut Courtois enjoyed another outstanding year for Atletico Madrid before returning to Chelsea and taking over the starting spot for the 2014/1...

• Angel DI MARIA

• 

  ARGENTINA
• After helping Real Madrid win a tenth European Cup/UEFA Champions League and finishing a runner-up with Argentina at Brazil 2014, Angel Di Maria i...

• Mario GOETZE

• 

  GERMANY
• Mario Gotze’s spectacular winning goal in extra time against Argentina in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final in Brazil ensured his name would be etc...

• Eden HAZARD

• 

  BELGIUM
• Eden Hazard took home PFA Young Player of the Year and Chelsea Player of the Year honours at the end of the 2013/14 campaign, and shortly aft...

• Zlatan IBRAHIMOVIC

• 

  SWEDEN
• In 2014, Zlatan Ibrahimovic hit the net 40 times, breaking the club record for goals in a single season, finishing top scorer in France and...

• Andres INIESTA

• 

  SPAIN
• Though team trophies eluded Andres Iniesta in 2014, the unassuming midfielder continues to grow in stature for club and country and remains as eff...

• Toni KROOS

• 

  GERMANY
• In 2014 Toni Kroos crowned what had already been an extraordinary year in footballing terms by winning  the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where he a...

• Philipp LAHM

• 

  GERMANY
• Despite Philipp Lahm now only rarely playing as a full-back, the position where he unquestionably became one of the best in the world, the Bayern Mun...

• Javier MASCHERANO

• 

  ARGENTINA
• A runner-up in Spain's La Liga and UEFA Champions League quarter-finalist with Barcelona, Javier Mascherano's most influential displays came in Ar...

• Thomas MUELLER

• 

  GERMANY
• Thomas Muller is a phenomenon. He may not be known for his technique but he has nevertheless been one of the world’s best players for a number ...

• NEYMAR

• 

  BRAZIL
• In fine form at the start of his second season with Barcelona, Neymar struck four times in five games at Brazil 2014 and is already his country's fif...

• Paul POGBA

• 

  FRANCE
• Paul Pogba has not minced his words when asked how good he can become, and the Hyundai Young Player award winner at Brazil 2014 has continued...

• Sergio RAMOS

• 

  SPAIN
• A defensive mainstay for Real Madrid and Spain, Sergio Ramos has matured as a player and become a commanding presence on the pitch.

• Arjen ROBBEN

• 

  NETHERLANDS
• Arjen Robben seems to be improving with age on the evidence of 2014, with a superb FIFA World Cup™ and outstanding showings for Bayern Munich h...

• James RODRIGUEZ

• 

  COLOMBIA
• While James Rodriguez’s skill, talent, vision and creativity was well-known, come Brazil 2014 the attacking midfielder also unleashed an enviab...

• Bastian SCHWEINSTEIGER

• 

  GERMANY
• In Germany, public opinion is unwavering in the belief that Bastian Schweinsteiger was one of the decisive players in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final, ...

• Yaya TOURE

• 

  CÔTE D'IVOIRE
• Yaya Toure’s evolution into a goalscoring threat in Manchester City’s title-winning season capped a remarkable 2013/14 campaign for the t...