Ronaldo, Messi and Kaka shortlisted for FIFA World Player of the Year award

08 December 2009 11:35
Portugal and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has been included on the shortlist for the FIFA World Player of the Year award.[LNB]Real-ly good: Cristiano Ronaldo, ex-Manchester United, now a Galactico[LNB]The 2008 winner is one of five contenders for the award alongside Real Madrid team-mate Kaka and Barcelona trio Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Xavi.[LNB]Ronaldo transferred from Manchester United to the Bernabeu for a world record fee in the region of £80million in July, while Brazil playmaker Kaka joined from AC Milan in the summer.[LNB]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.[LNB]Messi is favourite to land the gong after recently winning the Ballon d'Or.[LNB]The nominees were confirmed following a poll of national teams' captains and coaches from a list drawn up of FIFA Football Committee experts.[LNB]Nominated for the women's prize were 2008 winner Marta and her Brazil team-mateCristiane.[LNB]Germany received two nominations in Inka Grings and Birgit Prinz and England's Kelly Smith is also in contention for the award.[LNB] Best in Europe: Lionel Messi (left) is already as award winner while Iniesta is hoping to join him...[LNB] [LNB] ...as are Kaka (left) and Xavi[LNB]The winners will be announced at the FIFA World Player Gala on December 21 in Zurich, Switzerland.[LNB]Also at the gala, the best 11 players of the year as chosen by over 50,000 professional football players from all over the world will be honoured in the FIFA/FIFPro World XI, while the FIFA Puskas Award will be presented to the player - man or woman - who has scored the 'most beautiful goal' during the past year.[LNB] Come on my son: United's injury so bad Fergie drafts in David Gill's son!Manchester United in fight to solve defensive crisis as Bayern Munich look to snatch top target Simon KjaerCOMPETITION: Win a shirt signed by Real star Ronaldo or Barca's Messi MANCHESTER UNITED FC

Source: Daily_Mail