Nearly 9,000 votes have been cast by the Africa Top Sports.com community in the selection of the 2013 Ballon d’Or winner. Cristiano Ronaldo has emerged as the frontrunner among African Internet users, followed by Lionel Messi, who has surpassed Franck Ribéry in the rankings.
Notably, the sole African nominee, Yaya Touré, didn’t secure a position in the top 3 but holds a spot in the top 5.
FIFA (International Association Football Federation) is set to reveal the list of the final three nominees for the 2013 Ballon d’Or shortly (13 GMT). The winner will remain undisclosed until January 13, to be announced during the annual FIFA gala.
The comprehensive list of the 23 nominees includes:
- Gareth Bale (WAL, Real Madrid)
- Edinson Cavani (URU, Paris-SG)
- Radamel Falcao (COL, Monaco)
- Eden Hazard (BEL, Chelsea)
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic (SWE, Paris-SG)
- Andrés Iniesta (ESP, FC Barcelona)
- Philipp Lahm (GER, Bayern Munich)
- Robert Lewandowski (POL, Borussia Dortmund)
- Lionel Messi (ARG, FC Barcelona)
- Thomas Müller (GER, Bayern Munich)
- Neymar (BRA, FC Barcelona)
- Manuel Neuer (GER, Bayern Munich)
- Mesut Özil (GER, Arsenal)
- Andrea Pirlo (ITA, Juventus Turin)
- Franck Ribery (FRA, Bayern Munich)
- Arjen Robben (NED, Bayern Munich)
- Cristiano Ronaldo (POR, Real Madrid)
- Bastian Schweinsteiger (GER, Bayern Munich)
- Luis Suarez (URU, Liverpool)
- Thiago Silva (BRA, Paris-SG)
- Yaya Touré (CIV, Manchester City)
- Robin van Persie (NED, Manchester United)
- Xavi (ESP, FC Barcelona).
Stay tuned for the FIFA announcement, and you can participate in the poll using the provided ID “66.”
