( CNN ) -- Cristiano Ronaldo , Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery will battle it out for the FIFA Ballon d'Or , football 's most prestigious individual accolade . Global governing body FIFA whittled down the initial 23-man list to a final shortlist of three players , with the winner set to be announced during the annual Ballon d'Or gala in Zurich on January 13 . Barcelona and Argentina No . 10 Messi is hoping to be crowned the world 's leading player for a record fifth year in a row , but he faces stiff competition from Real Madrid 's Ronaldo . Portugal captain Ronaldo is the favorite to clinch the award for the second time in his career , having previously won it as a Manchester United player in 2008 , after a year which has seen him outscore Messi while also firing his country to next year 's World Cup in Brazil . France 's Ribery was a key player in the Bayern Munich team which won a European Champions League , Bundesliga and German Cup treble in 2013 . FIFA also announced the three men in the running for the coach of the year accolade . Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is nominated for guiding the Old Trafford club to a record 20th English championship . The Scot called time on his glittering 26-year reign at United in May . Jupp Heynckes also stepped aside at the end of last season after leading Bayern to an historic treble . The German veteran is nominated alongside Jurgen Klopp , whose Borussia Dortmund team lost to Heynckes ' Bayern in the Champions League final but won many admirers with their vibrant , attacking football . The world 's leading female player will also be crowned . Brazilian star Marta is once again nominated for the award having won it five years in a row between 2006 and 2010 . Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer saved two penalties in a 1-0 win over Norway in the final of Euro 2013 , with American Abby Wambach completing the shortlist after becoming the leading goalscorer in international football history .
Cristiano Ronaldo , Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery shortlisted for 2013 Ballon d'Or . The winner will be announced in Zurich on January 13 . Score: 6 Women 's winner to come from shortlist of Marta , Abby Wambach and Nadine Angerer .