Ronaldo, Messi Neymar, make Ballon D’or final shortlist

Luis Enrique refused to be drawn on the controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo’s inclusion in the FIFA Ballon d’Or shortlist ahead of Luis Suarez, stating “there are good players in other teams”.

Ronaldo and Messi have dominated the prize for the last seven years but both face strong competition this year from Messi’s Barcelona team-mate Neymar.

Neymar has 41 goals across the calendar year for Barcelona – three fewer than the 28-year-old Messi – but one blot is the four-match ban from Brazil games imposed at the Copa America following a red card.

“Yes, I think that I deserve to be [amongst the finalists] because of the way I’m playing”, said Neymar. He won the award in the 2011 edition. While appearing on iTV’s The Jonathan Ross Show earlier this month, he explained his reasoning quite bluntly. If he wins it again next January 11, he’ll cement his footballer legacy by becoming the first player ever to have been considered the best in the world in 5 different occasions. Either way, fill out our poll below to voice your opinions!

“I also would have like to share the event with Luis because he also deserved to be there following his great performance during last season”.

Messi is the favorite to win the award of Ronaldo who has received the prize for the past two years.

Spanish football expert Graham Hunter has told talkSPORT Lionel Messi is “a shoo-in” for the 2015 Ballon d’Or, and has questioned why Luis Suarez did not make the final cut for the award.

Ronaldo’s tally now stands at three Ballon d’Ors, which he won in 2008, 2014 and 2015.

“I am happy to be once more among the three best, and to go to another gala”, Messi said.

Messi’s Barcelona teammate Neymar is the third player nominated, and will be looking to break the Messi-Ronaldo hegemony.

He added: “Being nominated for the Ballon d’Or means a lot”. The pair have scored a combined 26 goals this season, making them Barcelona’s best goalscoring duo since the 1950/51 campaign.

Federation Internationale de Football Association also announced the contenders for the Puskás Award that celebrates the most attractive goal of the year.