FIFA has announced the 3 (finalist)men vying for the FIFA Men's player of the year. The three finalists are Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid/Portugal), Lionel Messi (Barcelona/Argentina), Antoine Griezmann ( Atletico Madrid, France)

The trophy will be awarded at the Best Football Awards in Zurich on January 9, 2017. The new format will also allow fans to have a say on the destination of the accolade.

Ronaldo and Messi will be the favourites for the award, having excelled during the previous year—even by their own impeccable standards.

The Real Madrid man netted the winning penalty for his team in the final of the UEFA Champions League before inspiring Portugal to glory at the UEFA European Championship.

Messi was key to Barcelona winning a domestic double of La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann also features despite being a runner-up in the finals of the both the Champions League and the European Championship. Nonetheless, even with those near misses, the forward was so often the difference for Atletico last season.

Story by Daraja Mutari/ghanaguardian