Manchester United forward Rooney, Chelsea striker Drogba and Liverpool skipper Gerrard have been named on the 10-man shortlist in the race to be named the 2009 European Football of the Year.
However, joining them on the elite list are four players from reigning European champions Barcelona.
Their Argentina star Lionel Messi is the frontrunner for this year's accolade and has been nominated alongside midfield team-mates Xavi and Andres Iniesta, plus summer signing from Internazionale Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Meanwhile, former Premier League star and reigning World and European Footballer of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo has also been shortlisted.
The former Manchester United winger is joined on the list by new Real Madrid team-mate Kaka.
The 10th player in the running is former Barcelona and now Internazionale striker Samuel Eto'o.
2009 Ballon d'Or shortlist: Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast and Chelsea), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon and Internazionale), Steven Gerrard (England and Liverpool), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden and Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Spain and Barcelona), Kaka (Brazil and Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Argentina and Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal and Real Madrid), Wayne Rooney (England and Manchester United), Xavi (Spain and Barcelona).
Source: DSG
