Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo have both been included on the shortlist for the Fifa world player of the year award. All five players on the shortlist hail from either Barca or Madrid with Kaka, Andres Iniesta and Xavi also nominate.
Ronaldo transferred from Manchester United to the Bernabeu for a world record fee in the region of €94 million in July, while Brazil playmaker Kaka joined from AC Milan in the summer.
Argentina’s Messi and Spain midfield duo Iniesta and Xavi were at the forefront of Barcelona’s treble-winning success, which saw the Catalan club claim the Champions League, the Primera Division title and the Copa del Rey.
Messi is favourite to land the gong after recently winning the Ballon d’Or.
The nominees were confirmed following a poll of national teams’ captains and coaches from a list drawn up of Fifa Football Committee experts.
Nominated for the women’s prize were 2008 winner Marta and her Brazil team-mate Cristiane.
Germany received two nominations in Inka Grings and Birgit Prinz and England’s Kelly Smith is also in contention for the award.
The winners will be announced on December 21st.
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