Franck Ribery misses out on 23-men shortlist for FIFA Ballon D’Or

Ballon D’Or holder Cristiano Ronaldo and four times winner Lionel Messi made the shortlist while finalist of 2013 Franck Ribery misses out.

Ballon D’Or holder Cristiano Ronaldo and four times winner Lionel Messi made the shortlist while finalist of 2013 Franck Ribery misses out.

Franck Ribery missed out in 23-men shortlist for Ballon D’Or 2014 as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo both made the list. The Current Ballon D’Or holder is joined by five other Real Madrid teammates as Gareth Bale, Kareme Benzema, Toni Kroos, Sergio Ramos and James Rodriguez also made the list. Zlatan Ibrahimovic the only player to represent French League.

There are six players from Germany as the World Champions are represented by Toni Kroos, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Muller, Mario Gotze, Manuel Neuer and Phillip Lahm.  However, there are only three players from World Cup runner-up Argentina. Former Real Madrid midfielder Angel Di Maria makes the list along with Javier Mascherano. Argentine skipper Lionel Messi is eyeing his fifth Ballon D’Or.

There are only three representatives from former World Champions Spain as Segio Ramos is joined by Andres Iniesta and former Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa. Paul Pogba and Kareme Benzema represent France. Belgian duo Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard also made the cut. Former African Player of the year Yaya Toure makes the list along with Brazilian striker Neymar. Arjen Robben also makes the final 23-list for this year’s top prize.

Final Shortlist:

Gareth Bale, Wales, Real Madrid
Karim Benzema, France, Real Madrid
Diego Costa, Spain, Chelsea
Thibaut Courtois, Belgium, Chelsea
Angel Di Maria, Argentina, Manchester United
Mario Gotze, Germany, Bayern Munich
Eden Hazard, Belgium, Chelsea
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden, Paris Saint-Germain
Andres Iniesta, Spain, Barcelona
Toni Kroos, Germany, Real Madrid
Philipp Lahm, Germany, Bayern Munich
Javier Mascherano, Argentina, Barcelona
Lionel Messi, Argentina, Barcelona
Thomas Muller, Germany, Bayern Munich
Manuel Neuer, Germany, Bayern Munich
Neymar, Brazil, Barcelona
Paul Pogba, France, Juventus
Sergio Ramos, Spain, Real Madrid
Arjen Robben, Netherlands, Bayern Munich
James Rodriguez, Colombia, Real Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal, Real Madrid
Bastian Schweinsteiger, Germany, Bayern Munich
Yaya Toure, Ivory Coast, Manchester City