Lionel Messi could become only the third player in history to win the Fifa Ballon d'Or trophy three times at a ceremony in Zurich on Monday.
The Argentine heads the three-man shortlist, which includes Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi.
Messi, 24, previously won the prestigious accolade in 2009 and 2010.
World Cup winners Zinedine Zidane, of France, and Brazil's Ronaldo are the only others to have won the award on three occasions.
The Barcelona star has already been hailed the "best in the world" by team-mate Gerard Pique.
Speaking to La Vanguardia newspaper he said: "(Messi) is leading the team to be one of the best ever - it is thanks to him that we have won so many titles.
"It is a pleasure to have him play for us, and he plays the same way as he did when he was 13, only now he does it more professionally and against the very best.
"We can only hope he keeps his level up for the maximum time - if he can improve that would be great. But we should not ask for anything more, and if he continues his love for the game it will keep him at the top for many years.
"It takes many years to get to the top level, and Leo is the best in the world."
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been nominated for Goal of the Year, while boss Sir Alex Ferguson is in contention for Coach of the Year.
Rooney has been nominated for his stunning overhead kick against Manchester City last season.
Also on the shortlist is Messi's clever chip and volley over Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia in the Champions League last 16 last season, along with Neymar's incredible solo effort for Santos against Flamengo in July.
Ferguson is up against Barcelona's Pep Guardiola and Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho for the Coach of the Year award.
The 70-year-old Scot led United to a record 19th English championship - the 12th under his stewardship - as well as guiding the club to the Champions League final, where they lost 3-1 to Barcelona at Wembley.
Guardiola also steered Barca to success in La Liga, edging out Mourinho's Madrid, who gained some revenge by lifting the Copa del Rey with a 1-0 defeat of the Catalans in Valencia.
Argentina international Messi is the favourite to make it a hat-trick of Ballon d'Or wins after another stunning season for Barcelona, in which he has scored 53 goals in all competitions.
"It's great to win individual awards, especially the prestigious ones, but what comes first for me is winning matches and titles," Messi said.
World Cup winner Xavi was the architect of many of Messi's goals, while Portuguese star Ronaldo also scored 53 times for Real Madrid as they finished second in La Liga, won the Copa del Rey and lost out to Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals.
Ronaldo tweeted: "It's great to be again nominated as one of the Fifa Ballon d'Or final three contenders".
Brazil's Marta will be looking for a sixth consecutive Women's Player of the Year award but faces competition from Japan's Homare Sawa and American Abby Wambach.
The Ballon d'Or is voted for by journalists and the coaches and captains of international teams.
