Spain lead way in FIFA list for player of the year

Oct 26, 2010, 12:24 GMT

Zurich - Seven players from World Cup winners Spain have been chosen on a shortlist for the Ballon d'Or award as player of the year.

The shortlist of 23 released by world governing body FIFA on Tuesday also includes five Germany players but only two from losing World Cup finalists the Netherlands.

The names have been announced jointly by FIFA and France Football. The Ballon d'Or award, to be presented at a gala in January, will for the first time be a combination of the FIFA World Player of the Year award and the France Football Ballon d'Or.

Shortlists have also been drawn up for the women's player of the year and the world coaches of the year for men's and women's football.

The final decisions will be made by the captains and head coaches of the men's and women's national teams as well as by international media representatives selected by France Football.

The winners will be announced at the first FIFA Ballon d'Or gala as part of a televised ceremony at the Zurich Kongresshaus on January 10.

The candidates (in alphabetical order) for the Ballon d'Or 2010: Xabi Alonso (Spain), Daniel Alves (Brazil), Iker Casillas (Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon), Cesc Fabregas (Spain), Diego Forlan (Uruguay), Asamoah Gyan (Ghana), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Julio César (Brazil), Miroslav Klose (Germany), Philipp Lahm (Germany), Maicon (Brazil), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Thomas Mueller (Germany), Mesut Oezil (Germany), Carles Puyol (Spain), Arjen Robben (Netherlands), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands), David Villa (Spain) and Xavi (Spain).

The men's coaches (nationality/team): Carlo Ancelotti (Italy/Chelsea), Vicente del Bosque (Spain/Spain), Alex Ferguson (Scotland/Manchester United), Pep Guardiola (Spain/Barcelona), Joachim Loew (Germany/Germany), Jose Mourinho (Portugal/Inter Milan and Real Madrid), Oscar Tabarez (Uruguay/Uruguay), Louis van Gaal (Netherlands,Bayern Munich), Bert Van Marwijk (Netherlands/Netherlands) and Arsene Wenger (France/Arsenal).

The women players: Camille Abily (France), Fatmire Bajramaj (Germany), Ji So Yun (South Korea), Marta (Brazil), Birgit Prinz (Germany), Caroline Seger (Sweden), Christine Sinclair (Canada), Kelly Smith (England), Hope Solo (USA) and Abby Wambach (USA).

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