The initial list of 23 candidates competing for the Ballon d’Or includes Lionel Messi, who could win a fifth Ballon d’Or. Franck Ribéry from Bayern Munich, who won the Champions League, Bundesliga, and the German Cup, is also a strong contender. Six players from Bayern Munich are part of the list, comprising a quarter of the total nominees. The list has been renewed by almost 50% compared to the previous year. Yaya Touré from Manchester City is the only African player on the list. The list of 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)
The polls indicate that Franck Ribéry is favored to win among the respondents.
