Former Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has picked superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as favourites to be named footballers of the year.
The award given by global governing body FIFA, is named "The Best" men's player this year. The award ceremony will be held on January 9, reports Efe.
Del Bosque also said he is "leaning towards" Atletico Madrid Argentine coach Diego Simeone to win "The Best" FIFA men's coach award, , whose track record over the last few years has been "really impressive".
"Simeone's given the team an identity, making it his team, and they've competed really well," Del Bosque said in an interview released on Monday on the FIFA website.
The Spanish coach added that Barcelona manager Luis Enrique and Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane are also "great."
"Messi and Ronaldo have dominated it in recent times and I imagine that people will decide between the two based on allegiances to the shirts they wear," he said.
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Messia and Ronaldoi have dominated the FIFA's annual awards ceremony, sharing the top prize since 2008. Messi ahs won it five times, Ronaldo thrice.
Del Bosque also pointed out that the 23-nominee list for the best player award of 2016 includes only two Spaniards, Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos and FC Barcelona Andres Iniesta.
Del Bosque thinks that another Spaniard could have joined the list such as Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique, who "have also left their mark on a great period" for Spanish football.
--IANS
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