Sydney - Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Andres Iniesta have been named as the three finalists for FIFA's world player of the year award, also known as the Ballon d'Or.
These three were picked from a list of 23 candidates for this year's Ballon d'Or, with Messi looking to become the first player to win the award four times, but facing stiff competition from Ronaldo.
The Barcelona playmaker, Messi has won the award for the last three years.
"I think they are perfect picks. There is no doubt these players are among the best," News.com.au quoted former Brazil great Ronaldo, a three-time award winner, as saying.
"Messi and Ronaldo are really the only ones with a chance of winning, that's how it's been recently," he added.
The winner will be announced in Switzerland on Jan. 7. The only two other players to have won the FIFA award three times are Ronaldo and former France great Zinedine Zidane.
Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque, former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola and Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho were in the running for the world coach of the year award.
The 25-year-old Messi earlier this year won his second Golden Boot award for scoring the most goals in Europe's domestic leagues last season.
Messi has scored 82 goals this calendar year, putting him only three shy of Gerd Mueller's record.
Messi won last year's Ballon d'Or prize over Ronaldo, who scored a team leading 46 goals last season for Real Madrid.
| Other Articles: |
 |
Mario Balotelli gets Ghengis Khan’s quote tattooed on chest (30th Nov, 2012) |
|
AFC to elect new president next year (30th Nov, 2012) |
|
South Korean Lee Keun Ho is AFC Player of the Year (30th Nov, 2012) |
|
Celta, Zaragoza, Mallorca in last 16 of Copa del Rey (30th Nov, 2012) |
|
Messi, Ronaldo, Iniesta named Ballon d'Or finalists (30th Nov, 2012) |
|
Argentina to host 2013 World Rally Championship (30th Nov, 2012) |
|
Blatter backs Ronaldo as Brazil's football chief (30th Nov, 2012) |
|
Former Dutch coach Fafie dies (30th Nov, 2012) |
|
AFC to elect new president next year (30th Nov, 2012) |
|
`Pregnant` Coleen Rooney flaunts toned legs at fashion show (29th Nov, 2012) |
|
Irina Shayk goes braless under suit jacket for red carpet event (29th Nov, 2012) |
|
Legendary Giggs brands rivals Man U-Liverpool matches ‘greatest’ (29th Nov, 2012) |
|
Zenit fans to show ID for tickets (29th Nov, 2012) |
|
No surprises in Copa del Rey (29th Nov, 2012) |
|
Hills near Shimla, Manali get season's first snow (29th Nov, 2012) |
|
Benitez says Chelsea still in PL title race despite seven-point gulf from table-toppers (29th Nov, 2012) |
|
Hope Solo’s hubby arrested again (29th Nov, 2012) |
|
Kaka linked with Corinthians move (29th Nov, 2012) |
|
Becks frightens Snoop Dogg in ‘Christmas Carol` spoof shoe ad (28th Nov, 2012) |
|
Newcastle midfielder Cabaye ruled out until February (28th Nov, 2012) |
|
FC Zenit compensates fans for close-door game (28th Nov, 2012) |
|
Welliton surgery successful (28th Nov, 2012) |
|
Shakhtar's Luiz Adriano banned for one match (28th Nov, 2012) |
|
Hiddink to retire at season's end (28th Nov, 2012) |
|
Real Madrid in Copa del Rey last 16 (28th Nov, 2012) |
|
Jobs |
Blog |
Yellow Pages |
Games |
Jokes |
Chat |
e-Cards |
Astrology |
Articles |
Recipes |
Send Gifts
Today : Wednesday - May 22, 2013, 12:09pm (GMT+5.5)
