Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar named as best FIFA player finalists

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar were Friday named as the finalists for the Best FIFA Men's Player award, China's Xinhua news agency reported.

Ronaldo, who is aiming to claim the honour for the second year running, played a key role in Real Madrid's Champions League and La Liga titles this year.

Messi, a five-time winner of FIFA's Ballon d'Or - which was replaced last year with the Best awards - was the top scorer in La Liga last season with 37 goals for Barcelona.

Neymar, who joined Paris Saint Germain from Barcelona for a record 222 million euros last month, scored 20 goals and provided 27 assists in 45 matches for the Catalan club in 2016-17.

The individual highlight of his season was a memorable double in Barcelona's 6-5 aggregate victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League round of 16.

The candidates for the best goalkeeper award are Juventus veteran Gianluigi Buffon, Real Madrid's Keylor Navas and Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer. There was no place for Manchester United's David de Gea.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane will be aiming to become the first person to clinch awards for the best player and coach. The three-time winner of the formerly named FIFA World Player of the Year was shortlisted for the best coach award alongside Chelsea's Antonio Conte and Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri.

Venezuelan striker Deyna Castellanos, American midfielder Carli Lloyd, and Venezuela's Lieke Martens will vie for the best women's player accolade.

The awards ceremony will take place in London on Oct 23.

-- BERNAMA