Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo is looking to win the award for the second time in his career. The forward is enjoying the most productive year at Real Madrid while he also fired Portugal to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with a hat-trick during their playoff match with Sweden.
Cristiano Ronaldo —
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo is looking to win the award for the second time in his career. The forward is enjoying the most productive year at Real Madrid while he also fired Portugal to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with a hat-trick during their playoff match with Sweden.
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Argentina's Lionel Messi has monopolized this award for the last four years and he has enjoyed another prolific year with Spanish champions Barcelona. Currently out injured, the No. 10 is being tipped to miss out this year.
Lionel Messi —
Argentina's Lionel Messi has monopolized this award for the last four years and he has enjoyed another prolific year with Spanish champions Barcelona. Currently out injured, the No. 10 is being tipped to miss out this year.
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Bayern Munich won an historic treble in 2013, thanks in no small part to the dazzling form of Franck Ribery, who will also represent France at the 2014 World Cup.
Franck Ribery —
Bayern Munich won an historic treble in 2013, thanks in no small part to the dazzling form of Franck Ribery, who will also represent France at the 2014 World Cup.
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Alex Ferguson brought his reign as manager of Manchester United to an end in May after 26 years at Old Trafford. The Scot guided United to a record 20th English title in 2013.
Alex Ferguson —
Alex Ferguson brought his reign as manager of Manchester United to an end in May after 26 years at Old Trafford. The Scot guided United to a record 20th English title in 2013.
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While Ribery shone on the pitch for Bayern, Jupp Heynckes masterminded their success from the dugout. The veteran German was replaced by Josep Guardiola after leaving Bayern in May.
Jupp Heynckes —
While Ribery shone on the pitch for Bayern, Jupp Heynckes masterminded their success from the dugout. The veteran German was replaced by Josep Guardiola after leaving Bayern in May.
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Heynckes' Bayern team beat Jurgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund in the first all-German Champions League final at Wembley. Despite losing the match 2-1, Klopp earns a place on the shortlist after his young side's style of play won many admirers.
Jurgen Klopp —
Heynckes' Bayern team beat Jurgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund in the first all-German Champions League final at Wembley. Despite losing the match 2-1, Klopp earns a place on the shortlist after his young side's style of play won many admirers.
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American Abby Wambach grabbed four first-half goals in a 5-0 win over South Korea in June to overtake Mia Hamm as the leading scorer in women's international soccer history. The 33-year-old has 160 international goals -- the most by any male or female player.
Abby Wambach —
American Abby Wambach grabbed four first-half goals in a 5-0 win over South Korea in June to overtake Mia Hamm as the leading scorer in women's international soccer history. The 33-year-old has 160 international goals -- the most by any male or female player.
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Brazilian Marta dominated women's football between 2006 and 2010. The striker is looking to win this award for the sixth time.
Marta —
Brazilian Marta dominated women's football between 2006 and 2010. The striker is looking to win this award for the sixth time.
German goalkeeper Nadine Angerer was named player of the match after her two penalty saves helped her country beat Norway 1-0 in the final of Euro 2013.
Nadine Angerer —
German goalkeeper Nadine Angerer was named player of the match after her two penalty saves helped her country beat Norway 1-0 in the final of Euro 2013.
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