Messi, Ronaldo & Neymar Nominated For World's Top Player Award

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ZURICH (CBSDFW/AP) - Neymar has made the three-man Ballon D'Or shortlist for the first time, alongside Lionel Messi and title holder Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo has won the world's top player award for the last two years after ending Messi's four-year winning streak.

The winner is announced at a gala in Zurich on Jan. 11 when a series of other awards are handed out.

Neymar leads Barcelona with 17 goals over the 2015-2016 season. His teammate Lionel Messi made his first league start in two months as he continues his comeback from knee ligament damage.

The coach of the year shortlist features one from a national team -- Chile's Copa America winner Jorge Sampaoli -- alongside Bayern Munich's Pep Guardiola and Barcelona's Luis Enrique.

The women's player shortlist is headed by American World Cup winner Carli Lloyd, Aya Miyama (Japan) and Celia Sasic (Germany). Two of the same nationalities are represented on the coaching shortlist: Jill Ellis (US), Mark Sampson (England) and Norio Sasak (Japan).

Ellis led the U.S. Women's National Team to their 2015 World Cup title as they beat defending champion Japan 5-2.

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