FIFA announces Ballon d'Or shortlist

Omnisports Pulse 04:21 - 20 October 2015

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Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are among the 23-man shortlist for the 2015 Ballon d'Or.

The award, which is ultimately decided by the captains and head coaches of national teams as well as media representatives, will be presented to the player considered to be the best performer in the calendar year.

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, winner the past two years, and four-time winner Lionel Messi of Barcelona are once again set to compete for the top prize, with the duo sharing the top two spots since 2011.

All 23 candidates play their football in Europe, with 11 players plying their trade in La Liga, five in the Premier League, five in the Bundesliga and just the one nomination from both Ligue 1 and Serie A.

German champions Bayern Munich have five candidates for the top prize, while Madrid are the next closest with four.

World Cup 2014 finalists Argentina and Germany are the best represented nations in the list with Messi, Javier Mascherano, Sergio Aguero, Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer all featuring.