The pair have combined to win the award – organised by France Football magazine – every year since former Brazil and AC Milan star Kaka won it in 2007.

Ronaldo remains the strong favourite despite still searching for his first league goal this season after serving a five-match domestic ban following his dismissal in the Spanish Super Cup.

Messi has profited from his rival’s absence to spearhead Barcelona’s stunning start to the campaign, scoring 11 goals in the first seven matches while adding two more in Europe.

But both players remain in danger of missing the 2018 World Cup.

European champions Portugal could be forced to negotiate next month’s play-offs unless they defeat group B leaders Switzerland in their final qualifier on Tuesday.

Two-time World Cup winners Argentina are outside the top five in South American qualifying ahead of a tricky trip to Ecuador in their last match, although victory would at the least put them into a two-legged play-off against New Zealand.

Brazilian forward Neymar moved to Paris Saint-Germain in August for a world-record €222-million (US$264 million) fee to step out of Messi’s shadow at Barcelona.

The 25-year-old has enjoyed a seamless transition to French football with a return of eight goals in as many games as PSG look to upset European football’s established order.

Real account for seven of the nominees with Ronaldo joined by Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Isco and Karim Benzema.

PSG are the second best represented club with three players – Neymar, Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe, who is set to seal a €180-million move next summer after arriving on a season-long loan from Monaco.

Harry Kane, one of 12 players nominated for the first time, is the lone Englishman on the shortlist, but there are seven Premier League nominees in total as Chelsea duo N’Golo Kante and Eden Hazard were recognised for their contribution to last season’s title-winning campaign.

Liverpool strikers Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho are also included along with Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea and Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, Venezuela women’s forward Deyna Castellanos and goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke of South African outfit Baroka are the three finalists for the Puskas Award – a Fifa accolade for the “most beautiful goal” of the season.