World Cup winners Thomas Müller, Manuel Neuer (both Bayern München) and Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) are the only three Germans on the 2015 Ballon d’Or shortlist. Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo, as well as the Italian Gazetta dello Sport published the 59-name shortlist on Friday. Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) are the two strong favourites to win the award on 11th January 2016.

Spanish giants Real Madrid and FC Barcelona each have seven players represented on the list, whilst Bayern München have six. Alongside Müller and Neuer, Arturo Vidal, Robert Lewandowski, Arjen Robben and David Alaba are also on the shortlist.

Messi and Ronaldo ahead of the pack

Surprise candidates include Eduardo Vargas (1899 Hoffenheim), former Mainz striker Shinji Okazaki (Leicester City) and former Leverkusen forward Heung-Min Son (Tottenham Hotspur).

Captains and managers of national teams worldwide were among those able to vote, as well as a select group of journalists (one per country). The Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place in Zurich once again. As well as the best male and female player awards, the award for FIFA World Coach of the Year for both men’s and women’s football will also be awarded.

Messi and Ronaldo have been passing the golden ball back and forth for the past seven years. Andrés Iniesta (FC Barcelona) is the only other player to finish in the top two in that time, when he finished second behind Messi in 2010.