The succession to Lionel Messi is launched. The Calendar of dates to the FIFA Ballon d’Or is finally known. October 29 was chosen for the official publication of the names of the 23 candidates who will compete for this award. As for the name of the winner, we will have to wait till January 13, 2014 to find out. The ceremony will take place in Zurich, Switzerland.

Besides Lionel Messi, major favorite to win the title for the fifth consecutive year, there are three other players who can snatch the Ballon d’Or. It abviously Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich) and Neymar (FC Barcelona).