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Mascherano is world's best player, according to Roy

'No, no, Roy, you're too kind, but I think Lionel has the Barca vote' © Getty Images

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Unless you've been living under a rock, you'll know Cristiano Ronaldo was voted the 2014 Ballon d'Or winner after another spectacular 12 months with Real Madrid.

He comfortably pipped Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer to the accolade, with the Portugal star earning 37.66% of the votes.

The victor is decided by a voting system whereby captains, coaches and media from around the world pick their top three players over the last year.

Being England manager and all, Roy Hodgson selected his trio, but managed to raise more than a few eyebrows in doing so.

Hodgson selected Neuer third (fine), Philipp Lahm (understandable) and, in first place... Javier Mascherano (slightly left field).

Mascherano did, of course, enjoy an impressive 2014 World Cup with Argentina, helping them to the final, but top three in the world?

The likes of former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher and ex-England international Gary Lineker were somewhat bemused, while Carlo Ancelotti's famous eyebrow must have inched up another notch on the news...

Love Roy Hodgson going for a clean sheet with his Ballon D'or picks. 1)Mascherano 2)Lahm 3)Neuer.

— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) January 12, 2015

I see that Roy Hodgson voted: 1 Mascherano 2 Lahm 3 Neuer. You have to love his sense of humour.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 12, 2015

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd