It was Neuer in 2014, it was Ribery in 2013 and now it's Neymar's turn to lineup alongside Messi and Ronaldo on the Ballon D'or stage. Messi is looking increasingly likely to regain his crown after a blistering run of form at the end of last season saw him lead Barcelona to another treble success.
Neymar, along with Luis Suarez, has picked up the mantle at the start of this season and it's looking likely that he's getting ready to make a play for the top spot in the near future. He'll probably pick the routine third spot this year but if he keeps up his current form he could well be the one to break up the Messi/Ronaldo duopoly sooner rather than later.
FIFA #BallondOr nominees:
Cristiano Ronaldo
Lionel Messi
Neymarhttps://t.co/5EcztsRwfL pic.twitter.com/kVyjEGe5Sx— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) November 30, 2015
As far as the women's award goes, USA's Carli Lloyd is likely to be favourite after her star turn at the World Cup.
FIFA Women's World Player of the Year nominees:
Carli Lloyd
Aya Miyama
Celia Sasic pic.twitter.com/S1BPH94Puf— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) November 30, 2015
While Chile manager Jorge Sampaoli joins Luis Enrique and Pep Guardiola on the shortlist for the coach of the year award.
FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men's Football nominees:
Luis Enrique
Pep Guardiola
Jorge Sampaoli pic.twitter.com/HLnnFIQEw3— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) November 30, 2015
There's no Stephanie Roche on the shortlist for the Puskas Award this year unfortunately but Messi could be a double award winner on January 11th as he gets the nod for his goal against Athletic Bilbao.
FIFA #Puskas Award nominees:
Alessandro Florenzi
Wendell Lira
Lionel Messi pic.twitter.com/bni2ZpKt92— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) November 30, 2015
He's joined on the shortlist by Alessandro Florenzi and Goianesia's Wendell Lira.
