Messi, Ronaldo and Xavi make final shortlist

Holder Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi were yesterday named on the final three-man shortlist for the 2011 FIFA Ballon d’Or award, which will be presented at a ceremony in Zurich on Jan. 9. Barcelona superstar Messi won the inaugural award – a...

Holder Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi were yesterday named on the final three-man shortlist for the 2011 FIFA Ballon d’Or award, which will be presented at a ceremony in Zurich on Jan. 9.

Barcelona superstar Messi won the inaugural award – a combination of the France Football Ballon d’Or prize and FIFA’s World Player of the Year award – last year, having picked up both awards in 2009.

His Real Madrid rival Ronaldo had won both awards in 2008. Messi’s Barcelona team-mate Xavi was also shortlisted for the 2010 prize.

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