Barcelona trio shortlisted for Ballon d’Or

The Ballon d’Or merges the two major player prizes for the first time. The FIFA World Player of the year , voted by players and coaches and the Ballon d’Or which is handed out by journalists via France Football magazine.

Messi won both awards last year, but he is a outsider this time around as he did not win the World Cup as his teammates have. Xavi and Iniesta have had fantastic campaigns domestically and on the the international level.

Three women have been shortlisted for their award. Brazilian Marta, who is a four-time FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year, and Fatmire Bajramaj and Birgit Prinz from Germany.

For the coaches award Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and World Cup winning coach Vicente del Bosque for the male category.

Maren Meinert who coaches the German Under-20 national team, Silvia Neid coach of the German national team and Pia Sundhage who is coach of the USA national team are the nominees for the Woman’s coaching award.