Source: Team_Talk
Messi favourite to win Ballon d'Or
The Ballon d'Or is an award handed out to the European footballer of the year. It is voted for by journalists and organised by France Football magazine.
The list contains 10 English-based players with Andrey Arshavin and Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Didier Drogba, John Terry and Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) and Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United) all shortlisted.
Former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo is also nominated and is a strong contender to beat Messi to the award, with Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich) and Andres Iniesta (Barcelona) also strong contenders.
There was, however, no room for any players from world champions Italy. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and Luca Toni were the Azzurri's only nominees last year.
European champions Spain are the best represented nation with six players listed, while the Primera Liga boasts the most players from a single league with 12. The Barclays Premier League is next best with 10 players while Serie A has just four.
Champions League and La Liga winners Barcelona top the list in terms of club representation with six players - Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thierry Henry, Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi, Yaya Toure and Xavi.
The winner will be announced on December 1.
Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Diego (Juventus), Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Edin Dzeko (Wolfsburg), Samuel Eto'o (Inter Milan), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Ryan Giggs (Manchester United), Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Kaka (Real Madrid), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Maicon (Inter Milan), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), David Villa (Valencia), Xavi (Barcelona), Yaya Toure (Barcelona).
