World Cup winners Spain dominate World XI shortlist

Nov 25, 2010, 15:56 GMT

Frankfurt - World champions Spain lead the way with 10 entries as the ruling football body FIFA and the players' union FIFPro on Thursday published a shortlist of 55 for the World XI team of 2010.

The 50,000 FIFPro-registered players will determine the team of the year which is made up of one goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards.

The World XI will be announced at a FIFA Gala on January 10.

Spain boast 10 players ranging from goalkeeper Iker Casillas to playmaker Xavi and striker David Villa after lifting the World Cup trophy for the first time this year in South Africa.

Brazil have nine entries and Argentina eight.

Spain also has the most players by league with 18 entries, with England's Premier League providing 17 players and Italy's Serie A 15.

European champions Inter Milan and Spanish league leaders Real Madrid have nine players each on the list while the 2009 World Player Lionel Messi leads Barcelona's eight-player contingent.

The full shortlist is as following:

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy, Juventus), Iker Casillas (Spain, Real Madrid), Petr Cech (Czech Republic, Chelsea), Julio Cesar (Brazil, Inter Milan), Edwin van der Sar (Netherlands, Manchester United)

Defenders: Daniel Alves (Brazil, Barcelona), Gareth Bale (Wales, Tottenham Hotspur), Michel Bastos (Brazil, Olympique Lyon), Ashley Cole (England, Chelsea), Patrice Evra (France, Manchester United), Rio Ferdinand (England, Manchester United), Philipp Lahm (Germany, Bayern Munich), Lucio (Brazil, Inter Milan), Maicon (Brazil, Inter Milan), Marcelo (Brazil, Real Madrid), Alessandro Nesta (Italy, AC Milan), Pepe (Portugal, Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Spain, Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Spain, Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Spain, Real Madrid), Walter Samuel (Argentina, Inter Milan), John Terry (England, Chelsea), Thiago Silva (Brazil, AC Milan), Nemanja Vidic (Serbia, Manchester United), Javier Zanetti (Argentina, Inter Milan)

Midfielders: Esteban Cambiasso (Argentina, Inter Milan), Michael Essien (Ghana, Chelsea), Cesc Fabregas (Spain, Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (England, Liverpool), Andres Iniesta (Spain, Barcelona), Ricardo Kaka (Brazil, Real Madrid), Frank Lampard (England, Chelsea), Javier Mascherano (Argentina, Barcelona), Thomas Muller (Germany, Bayern Munich), Mesut Oezil (Germany, Real Madrid), Andrea Pirlo (Italy, AC Milan), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany, Bayern Munich), Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands, Inter Milan), Xabi Alonso (Spain, Real Madrid), Xavi (Spain, Barcelona)

Forwards: Dimitar Berbatov (Bulgaria, Manchester United), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast, Chelsea), Samuel Eto9o (Cameroon, Inter Milan), Diego Forlan (Uruguay, Atletico Madrid), Gonzalo Higuain (Argentina, Real Madrid), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden, AC Milan), Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona), Diego Milito (Argentina, Inter Milan), Arjen Robben (Netherlands, Bayern Munich), Ronaldinho (Brazil, AC Milan), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid), Wayne Rooney (England, Manchester United), Carlos Tevez (Argentina, Manchester City), Fernando Torres (Spain, Liverpool), David Villa (Spain, Barcelona)

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