Barcelona's Lionel Messi has dominated the FIFA Ballon d'Or, with the Argentina forward having been been named as the world's best player for the past two years.
Lionel Messi —
Barcelona's Lionel Messi has dominated the FIFA Ballon d'Or, with the Argentina forward having been been named as the world's best player for the past two years.
Messi's teammate Xavi is on the three-man shortlist for the second year in a row. The Spain midfielder finished third last year, behind Messi and compatriot Andres Iniesta.
Xavi —
Messi's teammate Xavi is on the three-man shortlist for the second year in a row. The Spain midfielder finished third last year, behind Messi and compatriot Andres Iniesta.
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo was named the world's finest player in 2008 and is once again shortlisted this year.
Cristiano Ronaldo —
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo was named the world's finest player in 2008 and is once again shortlisted this year.
Marta is a footballing phenomenon, with the Brazilian having been named the world's best female player in each of the last five years. The 25-year-old is once again in contention in 2011.
Marta —
Marta is a footballing phenomenon, with the Brazilian having been named the world's best female player in each of the last five years. The 25-year-old is once again in contention in 2011.
Homare Sawa finished top goalscorer and was named the best player at the tournament as Japan sealed an emotional triumph in the 2011 Women's World Cup. The midfielder is one of two players who can stop Marta winning a sixth consecutive award.
Homare Sawa —
Homare Sawa finished top goalscorer and was named the best player at the tournament as Japan sealed an emotional triumph in the 2011 Women's World Cup. The midfielder is one of two players who can stop Marta winning a sixth consecutive award.
Abby Wambach grabbed four goals as the U.S. reached the the final in Germany, only to be beaten on penalties by Sawa's Japan. Wambach will be hoping a possible FIFA Ballon d'Or can provide some consolation.
Abby Wambach —
Abby Wambach grabbed four goals as the U.S. reached the the final in Germany, only to be beaten on penalties by Sawa's Japan. Wambach will be hoping a possible FIFA Ballon d'Or can provide some consolation.
There could be further glory for Messi, with his clever chip and volley against Arsenal nominated for the FIFA Puskas award -- which is given to the player who has scored the "most beautiful goal of the year".
Messi v Arsenal —
There could be further glory for Messi, with his clever chip and volley against Arsenal nominated for the FIFA Puskas award -- which is given to the player who has scored the "most beautiful goal of the year".
England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is also nominated for his stunning overhead kick against Manchester City in February.
Rooney v Manchester City —
England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is also nominated for his stunning overhead kick against Manchester City in February.
Brazil's Neymar is the final nominee for the Puskas Award, with his brilliant solo dribble for Santos against Flamengo completing the three-goal list.
Neymar v Flamengo —
Brazil's Neymar is the final nominee for the Puskas Award, with his brilliant solo dribble for Santos against Flamengo completing the three-goal list.
fifa ballon d'or shortlist

Story highlights

Barcelona's Lionel Messi heads three-man FIFA Ballon d'Or shortlist

Messi joined by teammate Xavi and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid

Marta is nominated for women's award, alongside Homare Sawa and Abby Wambach

Brazilian Marta has won the award for the last five years in a row

CNN  — 

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi leads a three-man shortlist for the FIFA Ballon d’Or, the award given to the world’s best footballer, which was announced on Monday.

The 24-year-old is joined by Barca teammate Xavi and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo on the list, with the winner being announced at the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala in Zurich, Switzerland, on January 9 2012.

Argentina star Messi is looking to win the accolade for the third year in a row, having been crowned the game’s leading player in 2009 and 2010. Spain’s Xavi was third last year while Portugal’s Ronaldo won the award in 2008.

Should Messi once again be named the world’s best, he would draw level with Frenchman Zinedine Zidane and Brazilian Ronaldo as a three-time winner of the gong.

Messi and Xavi were part of the Barca team which defeated Manchester United 3-1 at London’s Wembley stadium in May to become European champions, while the pair also helped the Catalans seal a third consecutive Spanish Primera Liga title.

Ronaldo netted the winning goal as Real beat Barca to clinch last season’s Copa del Rey, going on to finish the 2010-11 season as the top goalscorer in Spain.

In the women’s game, Brazil’s Marta will look to take home the prize for the sixth consecutive year. The 25-year-old is joined on the shortlist by Abby Wambach of the U.S. and Homare Sawa, a 2011 World Cup winner with Japan.

Barca’s Josep Guardiola heads the nominees for the Coach of the Year award, alongside Real’s Jose Mourinho and Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, who guided the Red Devils to a record 19th English championship last season.

Norio Sasaki is up for the women’s award after guiding Japan to their first World Cup triumph in July, with France’s Bruno Bini and Sweden coach Pia Sundhage also shortlisted.

The FIFA Puskas Award, named after legendary Hungary striker Ferenc Puskas, is awarded to the player who has scored the “most beautiful goal of the year”, with Messi once again in the running.

Messi’s chip and volley against Arsenal is shortlisted, with Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney also nominated for his spectacular overhead kick against arch rivals Manchester City.

Brazil’s Neymar is the final nominee for the Puskas Award, with his brilliant solo dribble for Santos against Flamengo completing the three-goal list.