Fifa World Player of the Year List

[Rappy Veteran]

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has the chance to add the Fifa World Player of the Year award to his Ballon d'Or prize for being Europe's best player.

The 22-year-old, who would be the first Argentine to win the award, has been shortlisted alongside his Barcelona team-mates Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

Last year's winner Cristiano Ronaldo and his Real Madrid co-star Kaka complete the nominations.

England striker Kelly Smith has been shortlisted for the women's award.

Messi, Xavi and Iniesta formed the creative hub of the Barcelona team, which won the treble of Champions League, domestic league and cup last season.

Messi's looping header over Edwin van der Sar clinched Barca's 2-0 victory over Manchester United in Rome.

Last week, the Argentine beat Ronaldo to the European Footballer of the Year award by a massive margin - 473 points to 233.

Now he is the firm favourite to land the Fifa award after coming second to Kaka in 2007 and Ronaldo in 2008.

England stars Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and John Terry all failed to make the shortlist after being included in an original pool of 23 contenders in October.

England fared better in the women's shortlist, with Smith included as one of the five candidates.

The 31-year-old, who plays her club football in the United States, starred in the England side that reached the final of Euro 2009.

The other nominees are 2008 winner Marta and her Brazil team-mate Cristiane, as well as Germany duo Inka Grings and Birgit Prinz.

The prizes are voted for by the captains and head coaches of the men's and women's national teams.

The winners will then be revealed at the 19th Fifa World Player Gala at the Zurich Kongresshaus on Monday 21 December.

Also at the event, the best 11 players of the year as chosen by over 50,000 professional footballers from all over the world will be honoured in the Fifa/FIFPro World XI.

The Fifa Puskas Award will be presented to scorer of the 'most beautiful goal' of 2009.

Nominees for 2009 Fifa World Player of the Year award:

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Real Madrid

Andres Iniesta (Spain), Barcelona

Kaka (Brazil), Real Madrid

Lionel Messi (Argentina), Barcelona

Xavi (Spain), Barcelona

Nominees for 2009 Fifa Women's World Player of the Year:

Cristiane (Brazil)

Inka Grings (Germany)

Marta (Brazil)

Birgit Prinz (Germany)

Kelly Smith (England)

[nokiaxion]

I dont know why this is even done.

Messi.

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[Rappy Veteran]

I dont know why this is even done.

Messi.

[/thread]

true, it's just amazing that there's only 2 teams being represented there :rofl:

[rajputwarrior]

true, it's just amazing that there's only 2 teams being represented there :rofl:

yeah i was just going to say that...

too bad gerrard's not there, may not deserve to win it, but deserves to be on that list.

but messi for sure

[Weld_El_7aj]

it's clear Messi is the man, but personnaly i'd love to see Xavi taking it, he made an extraordinary year starting with winning the Euro until the CL win. Messi can win it next years as he is young.

for the best team, her is the link to vote for yours.

mine is this: