The three finalists for the choice of the world footballer of the year 2012 have been announced.
Besides defending Lionel Messi (Argentina / Barcelona) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal / Real Madrid) is also Andrés Iniesta (Spain / Barcelona) has made it into the finals. The football's world governing body Fifa announced today in Sao Paulo.
Messi, Ronaldo and Iniesta nominated - who will win the 2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or?
Expect a renewed battle between Messi and Ronaldo. The two-time world champion Brazilian Ronaldo taps on Messi as the old and new world footballer of the year. Ronaldo: "Messi is not only play a decisive effort, many goals and wins title, but gives the football also absolutely fascinating."
The three-time World Player of the Argentine looks slightly against the Portuguese in the benefit: "Cristiano Ronaldo is very sober, very technical, but Messi also manages still to surprise many moves."
Last year, the superstar of the FC Barcelona for the third consecutive "World Player of the Year". This was achieved before him any other professional in the survey conducted since 1991 Fifa vote!
This year it is expected for the captain of the Argentine national team but are difficult. Despite 14 goals in the Champions League and 50 matches in the Spanish Primera División Messi won 2012 "only" the Spanish Cup.
Ronaldo made 46 goals last season, led Real to the championship. 2009 and 2011 Showman Ronaldo defeated in the World Player Messi dribbling king against each choice.
Real coach Jose Mourinho stands up for his Superstar: "If Cristiano Ronaldo World Player will not, it would be a crime. He's the best player in the universe. "
With Manuel Neuer and Mesut Ozil, two German national team were on the preliminary list of 23 players overall Fifa. The coaches made it next to Mourinho Vicente del Bosque (Spain national coach) and Pep Guardiola (until summer 2012 coach at FC Barcelona) in the final.
Winners will be determined by a vote among the coaches and captains of national teams and selected media representatives and 7 January 2013 at a gala in Zurich announced.
