Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi & Neymar on Ballon d'Or shortlist

Image source, AFP/Getty Images

Image caption, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar will compete for the Ballon d'Or

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar make up the three-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or - the award given to the world footballer of the year.

It is the eighth year in a row that Real Madrid's Ronaldo and Barcelona's Messi have been on the shortlist.

Mark Sampson is in the running for Fifa's women's football world coach of the year after guiding England to third place at the World Cup.

The winners will be announced at a gala in Zurich, Switzerland on 11 January.

Video caption, Ballon d'Or 2014: Cristiano Ronaldo named world's best player

Ronaldo has been named the world's best footballer for the past two years.

Messi had previously won the award, seen as the game's most famous individual prize, four years straight between 2009-2012.

The three contenders were chosen from a 23-man list that also included Wales and Real Madrid attacker Gareth Bale.