Search Icon

Lionel Messi in running for third consecutive Ballon d'Or after making shortlist with Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi have been shortlististed for this year's Fifa Ballon d'Or award.

Lionel Messi in running for third consecutive Ballon d'Or after making shortlist with Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi
Take your pick: Xavi and Cristiano Ronaldo will have it all to do to steal the prize from Lionel Messi's grasp again Credit: Photo: EPA

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. Messi in on course to land a third consecutive Ballon d'Or having also won the award in 2009.

The Barcelona forward is the favourite once more after another stunning season at the Nou Camp in which he scored 53 goals in all competitions.

Argentinian Messi was Barca's top scorer as Pep Guardiola's men retained the Primera Division title and re-claimed the Champions League trophy with a comprehensive defeat of Manchester United at Wembley.

Xavi was the architect of many of Messi's goals, the Barca veteran maintaining his position as arguably the premier midfielder in world football.

Ronaldo also scored 53 times for Real Madrid as they finished runners-up in Spain and lost out to Barca in the Champions League semi-finals.

Guardiola, Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson were shortlisted for the 2011 Fifa Coach of the Year award.

Guardiola's men were again mesmeric in 2011, sweeping all before them with an attractive style of football.

Madrid were their closest challengers, narrowly losing out in the domestic league and in Europe. They did, however, gain a degree of revenge by lifting the Copa del Rey with a 1-0 defeat of the Catalans in Valencia.

In addition to guiding United to the Champions League final, Ferguson also led United to a record 19th English championship - the 12th under the Scot's stewardship.

United were also represented in the category for the 2011 goal of the year - the Fifa Puskas award - with Wayne Rooney nominated for his stunning overhead kick against Manchester City last season.

Messi's clever chip and volley over Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia in the Champions League last 16 last season was also put forward, as was Brazil striker Neymar's incredible solo effort for Santos against Flamengo in July.

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Zurich on Jan 9, 2012.