La Liga trio nominated for FIFA Ballon d’Or
Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi have split the prestigious FIFA Ballon d’Or award between them each year since 2008, but Brazil’s Neymar, who receives a first nomination, hopes to spoil their party
Lionel Messi
Neymar
Cristiano Ronaldo
ARG
BRA
POR
Age:
28
Debut:
2004
Age:
23
Debut:
2009
Age:
30
Debut:
2002
Club:
Position:
Barcelona
Club:
Position:
Barcelona
Club:
Position:
Real Madrid
Forward
Forward
Forward
Dominated from 2009
to 2012 but has lost out
to Cristiano Ronaldo
for last two years
Would be fifth Brazilian
to win award, after
Ronaldo, Rivaldo,
Ronaldinho and Kaka
Aiming to claim third
successive award –
took 38% of vote in
2014, eclipsing Messi
2015:
Reached final
2015:
Won Champions
2015:
Scored 500th
of Copa America with
Argentina – scored 48
goals to date, despite
injury concerns
League and La Liga with
Barcelona. Superb form
this season – top scorer
in Spain with 14 goals
career goal. Became
all-time top scorer for
Real Madrid, surpassing
club legend Raul
Source: FIFA
Picture: Getty Images
© GRAPHIC NEWS
La Liga trio nominated for FIFA Ballon d’Or
Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi have split the prestigious FIFA Ballon d’Or award between them each year since 2008, but Brazil’s Neymar, who receives a first nomination, hopes to spoil their party
Lionel Messi
Argentina
Age:
28
Debut:
2004
Club:
Position:
Barcelona
Forward
Dominated from 2009 to 2012 but
has lost out to Cristiano Ronaldo
for last two years
2015:
Reached final of Copa
America with Argentina, losing to
host nation Chile – scored 48 goals
to date, despite injury concerns
Neymar
Brazil
Age:
23
Debut:
2009
Club:
Position:
Barcelona
Forward
Would be fifth Brazilian to win
award, after Ronaldo, Rivaldo,
Ronaldinho and Kaka
2015:
Won Champions League
and La Liga with Barcelona.
Superb form this season – top
goalscorer in Spain with 14 goals
Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal
Age:
30
Debut:
2002
Club:
Position:
Real Madrid
Forward
Aiming to claim third successive
award – took 38% of vote in 2014,
eclipsing rival Messi
2015:
Scored 500th career goal.
Became all-time top scorer for
Real Madrid, surpassing
club legend Raul
Sources: FIFA
Pictures: Getty Images
© GRAPHIC NEWS
La Liga trio nominated for FIFA Ballon d’Or
Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi have split the prestigious FIFA Ballon d’Or award between them each year since 2008, but Brazil’s Neymar, who receives a first nomination, hopes to spoil their party
Lionel Messi
Argentina
Age:
28
Debut:
2004
Club:
Position:
Barcelona
Forward
Dominated from 2009 to 2012 but
has lost out to Cristiano Ronaldo
for last two years
2015:
Reached final of Copa
America with Argentina, losing to
host nation Chile – scored 48 goals
to date, despite injury concerns
Neymar
Brazil
Age:
23
Debut:
2009
Club:
Position:
Barcelona
Forward
Would be fifth Brazilian to win
award, after Ronaldo, Rivaldo,
Ronaldinho and Kaka
2015:
Won Champions League
and La Liga with Barcelona.
Superb form this season – top
goalscorer in Spain with 14 goals
Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal
Age:
30
Debut:
2002
Club:
Position:
Real Madrid
Forward
Aiming to claim third successive
award – took 38% of vote in 2014,
eclipsing rival Messi
2015:
Scored 500th career goal.
Became all-time top scorer for
Real Madrid, surpassing
club legend Raul
Source: FIFA
Pictures: Getty Images
© GRAPHIC NEWS
SOCCER
FIFA Ballon d'Or 2015 nominees
January 11, 2016 - The FIFA Ballon d’Or award ceremony takes place in Zurich, Switzerland. Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi have split the prestigious award between them each year since 2008, but Brazil’s Neymar, Messi’s teammate at Barcelona, who receives a first nomination, hopes to spoil their party.