The FIFA Ballon D’Or award is going to be handed to either Manuel Neuer, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Soccer hands out awards based on calendar years instead of seasons, so with January comes awards shows. On Monday, FIFA had their Ballon d’Or ceremony which is given to the best player in the world for both men and women.
They also announce the World XI and coach of the years as well, again for both men and women.
The short list for the coveted Ballon d’Or trophy this year features two of the usual suspects, Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo. Those two are constantly the subject of debate over the best player in the world.
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has also been nominated for the award, a rather uncommon honor for a goalkeeper.
If you want to watch the award show, here is all the pertinent information.
Date: January 12
Start Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Venue: Kongresshaus
TV Info: FOX Sports 2
Live Stream: FOX Soccer 2Go
The original list of 23 contenders:
Gareth Bale, Wales, Real Madrid
Karim Benzema, France, Real Madrid
Diego Costa, Spain, Chelsea
Thibaut Courtois, Belgium, Chelsea
Angel Di Maria, Argentina, Manchester United
Mario Gotze, Germany, Bayern Munich
Eden Hazard, Belgium, Chelsea
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden, Paris Saint-Germain
Andres Iniesta, Spain, Barcelona
Toni Kroos, Germany, Real Madrid
Philipp Lahm, Germany, Bayern Munich
Javier Mascherano, Argentina, Barcelona
Lionel Messi, Argentina, Barcelona
Thomas Muller, Germany, Bayern Munich
Manuel Neuer, Germany, Bayern Munich
Neymar, Brazil, Barcelona
Paul Pogba, France, Juventus
Sergio Ramos, Spain, Real Madrid
Arjen Robben, Netherlands, Bayern Munich
James Rodriguez, Colombia, Real Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal, Real Madrid
Bastian Schweinsteiger, Germany, Bayern Munich
Yaya Toure, Ivory Coast, Manchester City
Here are the candidates for coach of the year:
Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid
Antonio Conte, Juventus/Italy
Pep Guardiola, Bayern Munich
Jurgen Klinsmann, United States
Joachim Low, Germany
Jose Mourinho, Chelsea
Manuel Pellegrini, Manchester City
Alejandro Sabella, Argentina
Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid
Louis van Gaal, Netherlands/Manchester United
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