Seven Spanish players shortlisted for Ballon d'Or
The shortlist for this year’s Ballon d’Or has been announced and seven players from Spain’s 2010 FIFA World Cup winning squad have been included.
Barcelona quartet Xavi Hernandez, Carles Puyol, Andres Iniesta (who scored the winning goal at the World Cup final against Holland) and David Villa have made the cut.
Spain captain and Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas and his club team-mate Xabi Alonso have also been included in the selection, as has Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas (who set up Iniesta for the goal in the final).
Two other English-based players have also been included, with Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, and Sunderland and Ghana forward Asamoah Gyan making the list.
Unfortunately, no English players have been included with the notable omissions of Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney and Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard.
Rooney’s former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, now of Real Madrid, has made the cut, as has Mesut Ozil.
Barcelona and Argentina attacker Lionel Messi has also been included on the shortlist. The player won both the European and world player of the year awards in 2009.
Inter Milan quartet make cut
Inter Milan’s success over the last year, which saw them win three trophies including the UEFA Champions League, has resulted in them having four nominees, including Julio Cesar, Maicon Douglas Sisenando, Wesley Sneijder and Samuel Eto’o.
The other nominees are Daniel Alves, Barcelona and Brazil; Diego Forlan, Atletico Madrid and Uruguay; Arjen Robben, Bayern Munich and Holland; and Miroslav Klose, Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger, all Bayern Munich and Germany.
The award was formerly given to the best player in Europe, but has been combined with the FIFA World Player of the Year award to create one prestigious accolade.
Jose Mourinho, the Real Madrid boss who was in charge of Inter for their treble-winning season, has made the shortlist for the inaugural world coach of the year award. Chelsea’s Carlo Ancelotti, Spain coach Vicente del Bosque, Manchester United’s Sir Alex
Ferguson and Arsene Wenger of Arsenal have also been nominated.
The winners will be revealed at a ceremony in Zurich on 10 January.
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