FIFA have announced the 23 nominees, including one African, for the World Player of the Year, but snubbed Africa's Player of the Year.
Click through the gallery to view how Messi and Ronaldo's victory poses after winning the past eight Ballons d'Or.
The governing body of world football and France Football, who together announced the FIFA Ballon d'Or over the last six years, have parted ways, and both institutions will now hand out separate awards. FIFA's version was formerly known as FIFA World Player of the Year, but is now called FIFA Best Men's Player of the Year.
Lionel Messi is the defending World Player of the Year and has lifted the award a record five times – two more than his longstanding rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese is seen as the favourite for year's award after guiding Portugal to their first ever UEFA European Championship title and lifting his second Champions League with Los Blancos.
Messi and Ronaldo have won the World Player of the Year accolade over the past eight years (see all their winning pictures in our gallery) – Kaka was the last other footballer to lift the award, back in 2008.
Riyad Mahrez is the only African among the nominees after winning the 2015/16 PFA Player's Player of the Season accolade and helping Leicester City claim their first ever Premier League title.
Meanwhile, 2015 African Player of the Year, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been snubbed.
Here are all 23 nominees for the 2016 Best FIFA Men's Player award:
Sergio Aguero
Gareth Bale
Gianluigi Buffon
Kevin De Bruyne
Antoine Griezmann
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Andres Iniesta
N'Golo Kante
Toni Kroos
Robert Lewandowski
Riyad Mahrez
Lionel Messi
Luka Modric
Manuel Neuer
Neymar
Mesut Ozil
Dimitri Payet
Paul Pogba
Sergio Ramos
Alexis Sanchez
Luis Suarez
Jamie Vardy
National team coaches, captains, selected journalists and fans – each counting for 25% of the votes – now have the chance to choose their favourite.
Gallery: Ronaldo's Worst Teammates XI
The Best FIFA Men's Player of the Year will be announced on 9 January during a gala event in Zurich.
Do you think any player can end the eight-year Messi-Ronaldo dominance of the award? Should Aubameyang be there? Have your say in the comments section below.
