Only three footballers - Argentine Lionel Messi and Spanish Xavi from the Barcelona club and Cristiano Ronaldo who plays for Real (Madrid) have been included in the list of nominees for the Ballon d’or award to the Footballer of the Year.

The primary extended list contained 23 names and three final nominees were selected by team captains, referees and the media.

The Ballon d’or winner will be announced at a solemn event in Zurich, Switzerland in January.