Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi have been shortlisted for the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2011, FIFA and France Football magazine have announced.
Messi, Ronaldo and Xavi are the world's best players
Messi won the inaugural award last year after FIFA's World Player of the Year crown and France Football's Ballon d'Or gong merged.
The Barcelona forward is the favourite once more after another stunning year at the Nou Camp. The Argentinian was Barca's top scorer as SB's men won the 'Treble' earlier this year - lifting the trophies of La Liga, Copa Del Rey and the Champions League.
He has now single handedly turned the Barca season around after a more than difficult start to their most recent La Liga campaign.
Xavi was the architect of many of Messi's goals, the Barca veteran maintaining his position as arguably the premier midfielder in world football.
Cristiano Ronaldo has no doubt closed the gap on Messi with stunning perfomormances since his signing with the Madrid side in 2009.
"These personal honours are great, but what matters to me is the team success this season." Ronaldo said at the news of his nomination.
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Zurich on January 9, 2012.
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