England's Rooney, Gerrard, Lampard and JT on list for World Player of Year

30 October 2009 13:20
Eight Barclays Premier League players are in contention to win the FIFA World Player of the Year.[LNB]England stars Wayne Rooney, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard are on the 23-man short list for the award currently held by Cristiano Ronaldo.[LNB]Michael Ballack, Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres and Michael Essien also fly the flag for the Premier League.[LNB] [LNB] [LNB]Honoured: Wayne Rooney (top) and England team-mates (above, from left) Steven Gerrard, John Terry and Frank Lampard[LNB]Ronaldo, who left Manchester United for Real Madrid in the summer, will again be among the frontrunners, though Barcelona's Lionel Messi is the favourite for the award which will be handed out in Zurich on December 21.[LNB]In the women's award, England hero Kelly Smith is among 10 fighting for the crown won by Brazil star Marta for the last three years.[LNB]The captains and head coaches of men's and women's teams vote for players on the list and the top five in each category will be announced early in December.[LNB]FIFA World Player of the Year shortlistMichael Ballack (Chelsea, Germany, right), [LNB]Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus, Italy), [LNB]Iker Casillas (Real Madrid, Spain), [LNB]Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, Portugal), [LNB]Diego (Juventus, Brazil), [LNB]Didier Drogba (Chelsea, Ivory Coast), [LNB]Michael Essien (Chelsea, Ghana), [LNB]Samuel Eto'o (Inter Milan, Cameroon), [LNB]Steven Gerrard (Liverpool, England), [LNB]Thierry Henry (Barcelona, France), [LNB]Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Barcelona, Sweden), [LNB]Andres Iniesta (Barcelona, Spain), [LNB]Kaka (Real Madrid, Brazil),[LNB]Frank Lampard (Chelsea, England), [LNB]Luis Fabiano (Sevilla, Brazil), [LNB] Favourite: Barcelona magician Lionel Messi is the leading contender for the award[LNB]Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Argentina), [LNB]Carles Puyol (Barcelona, Spain), [LNB]Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich, France), [LNB]Wayne Rooney (Manchester United, England), [LNB]John Terry (Chelsea, England), [LNB]Fernando Torres (Liverpool, Spain),[LNB]David Villa (Valencia, Spain)[LNB]Xavi (Barcelona, Spain).[LNB]WOMEN'S AWARD[LNB]Nadine Angerer (Germany), [LNB]Sonia Bompastor (France), [LNB]Cristiane (Brazil), [LNB]Inka Grings (Germany), [LNB]Mana Iwabuchi (Japan), [LNB]Simone Laudehr (Germany), [LNB]Marta (Brazil), [LNB]Birgit Prinz (Germany), [LNB]Kelly Smith (England, left),[LNB]Abby Wambach (USA).[LNB] Liverpool's surgery fears for Steven Gerrard: Rafa Benitez fears skipper may go under the knife to solve groin problemEXCLUSIVE: Spurs boss Harry Redknapp in summer swoop for Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand as Fergie eyes Everton's Jack Rodwell LA Galaxy could thwart Beckham's bid to be most capped England playerWhere are they now? Sportsmail takes a look at the 'Young Guns' that have made and failed to make the grade at Arsenal  

Source: Daily_Mail