Football personalities and who they are rooting for in the 2014 Ballon d'Or race

Cristiano Ronaldo, Manuel Neuer and Lionel Messi are the three short-listed names for the Ballon d’Or,With the year almost coming to an end, we edge closer to the day when the Ballon d’Or winner for this year will be announced. FIFA have just announced the final 3-man shortlist for the FIFA Ballon d’Or, narrowing down to the final three finalists of this year are Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Manuel Neuer.Many football players, managers and pundits have already given their opinions on who they are rooting for in this year’s race, and in this slideshow, we bring you their comments:Have your say:

#1 Manuel Neuer - Bayern Munich and Germany

Coming from a victorious Bundesliga and World Cup campaign, Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is in a league of his own and is undoubtedly the best player in his position. However, winning the Ballon d’Or ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi is a whole different thing. Several players and coaches have been touting him to win the award, and here are a few of them:

Former Italian goalkeeper Dino Zoff

"Neuer's good, he deserves the Ballon d'Or right enough," he added. "But it is difficult for him to win. He has absolute phenomena like Ronaldo and Messi to compete against, I do not think he can win. ”

Bayern Munich right-back Rafinha

“Normally keepers don't even make the final three, so it's already a huge achievement, but I think he should go on and win it. He's been brilliant in the last year. We won almost everything with Bayern and in the summer he won the World Cup with Germany. I've got huge respect for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, everyone knows how good they are, but I think Manuel's the favourite.”

Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller

"The Cristiano Ronaldo option would be a bit boring really. I hope that 'Manu' comes out on top. He has my vote, even if it does not count."

Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben

“What can I say? For me, Manuel Neuer or Arjen Robben have to win it, there’s not two ways about it. Manu has won everything and is a good person, not arrogant. Arjen played unbelievably last Bundesliga season and after that had an excellent World Cup. But I fear that there are still a lot of politics.”

Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann

"I'm with Neuer because, basically, I'm neither in favour of Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Neuer is a great goalkeeper and is now a world champion.”

Dutch football icon Johann Cruyff

“I would vote for a German player in the Ballon d’Or ballot. Neuer is an extraordinary goalkeeper, who would deserve to win it.”

Alonso’s comments were somewhat shocking given Cristiano Ronaldo is his former team-mate.

Bayern Munich midfielder Xabi Alonso

"If Manuel won it, it'd be totally deserved. Neuer is by far the best keeper I've played with and is also outstanding outfield."

UEFA president Michel Platini

“There are lots of players who would deserve to win the award, but in my opinion, in a World Cup year the prize should go to a World Cup winner.”

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal

"You always have to win something and the best thing to win is the World Championship. I hope it shall be a German player because they deserve it. In Germany, the level of the matches in the Bundesliga is also very high."

Lazio striker Miroslav Klose

“I would give it to Manuel Neuer. It’s normal to talk about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo being the best, but Manuel is a phenomenon. I hope he wins, I don’t know any better professionals. He is incredible.”

Former Ukrainian international Andriy Shevchenko

"I will give it to Neuer the goalkeeper. Yeah. He's amazing. He's incredible."

Former Italian manager Giovanni Trapattoni

"Neuer, for a change. He's a stalwart goalkeeper, a bit like Dino Zoff. I love those players. He could also play as a striker. It would be something different if a goalkeeper would be elected FIFA World Player of the Year."