Ronaldo, Messi Lead 2016 FIFA Awards Shortlist Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi lead the contenders on the 23-man shortlist for the 2016 best FIFA Men’s Player Award.
Real Madrid quartet of Gareth Bale, Toni Kroos, Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric were also shortlisted.
Messi is joined by Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez, Neymar and Andres Iniesta.
Messi and Ronaldo have dominated FIFA’s annual award since 2008. Messi has won five times and Ronaldo three.
Ronaldo is favourite to win for 2016 because Portugal won the European championship and Real Madrid won the UEFA Champions League.
Leicester City trio of Rihad Mahrez, Ngolo Kante and Jamie Vardy have also been nominated along with others for the FIFA Best Player Award.
Some other nominees are Sergio Aguero, Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba and Dimitri Payet.
The list was chosen by the FIFA football committee and the winner will be decided by a vote split between national team captains and players, selected media representatives, and a global fan poll.