With the bank accounts of the fortunate 450 members of the league set to swell, grasping the basics of financial planning is key, say the pros. "Advice number one: learn what annuities are," said O'Neal, as he advocated a strategy of investing in securities that offer revenue streams year after year, rather than spending on luxury items that depreciate the moment they leave the showroom. Another option, says O'Neal, is to manage money the old-fashioned way: put most of it in the bank for retirement, which he says he did with 75% of his income. "You want cars, you want diamond earrings, you want jewelery?" he asks. "Do whatever you want (with the other 25%)." "But it's hard," he confesses. "Guys got families, girlfriends, stuff like that. But, a guy taught me that in 1995 and it worked, it worked for me."

Real Madrid has been second best to Barcelona this season and the Spanish champions scored another minor victory over their rivals Monday as the FIFA Ballon d'Or shortlist was announced

After trouncing Real 4-0 in the recent El Clasico, Barca has two representatives in the running to be crowned the 2015 world footballer of the year, strikers Lionel Messi and Neymar, from Argentina and Brazil respectively.

Real forward Cristiano Ronaldo -- winner of the last two awards -- is the other contender on the three-man list.

The Portuguese forward and Messi have accounted for the last seven FIFA Ballon d'Or titles, Barcelona's talisman winning four to Ronaldo's three.

But this is Neymar's first nomination for the top prize after a glittering year. He is part of a formidable front line that also includes Messi and Uruguayan Luis Suarez.

Barca's holy trinity were all on the mark Saturday as the Catalan side swept aside Real Sociedad 4-0 at the Nou Camp.

The three helped fire the Catalan side to its 23rd Spanish league title last season, scoring 81 goals between them, as well as assisting 39.

In all competitions that goal tally rose to 122 -- a new Spanish record -- as Barca won the European Champions League as well as the Spanish Cup.

The trio have already contributed 30 league goals this season, despite a spell on the sidelines for Messi, as Barcelona opened up a four point lead at the summit.

Though Real Madrid didn't win any silverware last season, Ronaldo scored an incredible 48 goals in 35 league matches and 60 in all competitions.

The Portuguese has pipped Messi to the previous two awards, having finished runner-up to the Argentine three times.

FIFA will announce the winner at the Ballon d'Or Gala in Zurich on January 11 along with four other awards.