Ronaldo, Messi, Griezmann finalists for Best FIFA Men's Player award

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Antoine Griezmann have survived the chopping block, as the three superstars have been named finalists for Best FIFA Men’s Player of 2016.

The award - now the governing body's top individual honour after its split from France Football and the Ballon d'Or earlier this year - saw an initial 23-man shortlist whittled down Friday after a voting process that involved national team coaches and captains, media, and fans from around the world.

Ronaldo, who enjoyed the most illustrious year of his career by leading Real Madrid to another Champions League title before captaining Portugal to Euro 2016 glory, is the favourite for the hardware, which will be handed out during a Jan. 9 ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland.

Messi is a fixture on these annual lists, and this year is no different. But it's been a difficult 12 months for the Argentine, who's battled court cases and the disappointment of losing the Copa America final for a second consecutive time.

Sporting a new blond haircut, Messi reversed his decision to retire from international football in August. Injuries dogged the early part of the 2016-17 season as well.

Before all that, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner helped Barcelona claim the La Liga title despite the advances of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

The honour of joining Messi and Ronaldo on the podium fell to Griezmann, who enjoyed the best year of his career with Atletico and France. Though he missed a penalty in the Champions League final and fell to similar heartbreaking defeat in Euro 2016's showpiece, the 25-year-old proved an incredible two-way player for managers Diego Simeone and Didier Deschamps.

Griezmann completed a stellar Euro with six goals and two assists - challenging former icon Michel Platini's nine strikes for the single tournament record.