New Delhi:
Brazilian striker Neymar is locked in a close race with soccer superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for the coveted FIFA Men's Player Award. The former Barcelona striker who moved to French giants Paris Saint Germain on a record transfer deal has been shortlisted with the two modern era maestros Messi and Ronaldo.
Cristiano Ronaldo, 32, is the overwhelming favourite to win the award, having led Real Madrid to the La Liga title and a third Champions League success in four years last season.
He won last year's award after winning the Champions League with Madrid and the European Championship with Portugal. Ronaldo previously won the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2008 and is a four-time winner of the Ballon d'Or.
Messi, 30, scored 54 goals last season as Barcelona won the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup. The Argentina great, a record five-time winner of the Ballon d'Or, has made a superb start to the current campaign, scoring 12 goals in his first eight appearances in all competitions.
Ronaldo won the inaugural Best FIFA Men's Player Award last year after a six-year merger between the FIFA honour and the Ballon d'Or. The shortlist for the Best FIFA Women's Player award comprises Venezeula's Deyna Castellanos, Carli Lloyd of the United States and Dutch player Lieke Martens.
