Zurich - Six players from European champions Spain and Olympic gold medallist Lionel Messi of Argentina head a shortlist for the 2008 World Footballer of the Year award.
The 23-player list released on Wednesday by the ruling body FIFA also includes rising Russian ace Andrei Arshavin, England's Frank Lampard, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, and the 2008 award winner Kaka of Brazil.
The World Footballer of the Year, elected by the captains and coaches of the world's national teams, will be announced at a FIFA gala in Zurich on January 12, 2009.
Goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas heads the Spanish contingent, with strikers David Villa and Fernando Torres, and midfielders Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta and Xavi the other nominees from the Spanish team which won the Euro crown in June in Vienna.
England has three nominees in Lampard, Steven Gerrard and John Terry while the Beijing gold medallists Messi and Sergio Aguero are listed as Argentinians.
Shannon Boxx and Hope Solo from Olympic champions United States are among of 10 contenders for the women's award.
Men's nominees Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo, Arsenal) Sergio Aguero (Argentina, Atletico Madrid) Andrei Arshavin (Russia, Zenit St Petersburg) Michael Ballack
(Germany, Chelsea) Gianluigi Buffon (Italy, Juventus) Iker Casillas (Spain, Real Madrid) Deco (Portugal, Chelsea) Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast, Chelsea) Samuel Eto9o
(Cameroon, Barcelona) Cesc Fabregas (Spain, Arsenal) Steven Gerrard (England, Liverpool) Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden, Inter Milan) Andres Iniesta (Spain, Bracelona) Kaka (Brazil, AC Milan) Frank Lampard (England, Chelsea) Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona) Franck Ribery (France, Bayern Munich) Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Manchester United) John Terry (England, Chelsea) Fernando Torres (Spain, Liverpool) Ruud van Nistelrooy (Netherlands, Real Madrid) David Villa (Spain, Valencia) Xavi (Spain, Barcelona)
Women's nominees Nadine Angerer (Germany) Shannon Boxx (United States) Cristiane (Brazil) Daniela (Brazil) Marta (Brazil) Birgit Prinz (Germany) Christine Sinclair (Canada) Kelly Smith (England) Hope Solo (United States) Ingvild Stensland (Norway) (dpa)
Similar
US News
- Sun Pharma Gets FDA Nod To Sell Nasal Spray Astelin In US Market
- Bharti Airtel Gets Hold Of 49% Stake In Qualcomm India broadband
- Facebook IPO issue must be reviewed, says U.S. financial regulators
- Brooklyn to investigate witness intimidation in abuse cases
- Sun Pharma, Dr Reddy's & Aurobindo Get USFDA Authorization To Market Generic Cardiac Drug
Rome, May 28 : The captain of the Italian football club Lazio has been arrested amid investigations in connection to match-fixing scandal. 
London, May 28 : Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany has expressed his hope of making an impact at the Saturday's England v/s Belgium friendly, after not being slotted in for the Euro 2012 squad. 
London, May 28 : Former England cricketer Adam Hollioake has revealed that his friends and family were surprised when he chose the gentleman's game over rugby and boxing as his profession. 
Islamabad, May 28 : Pakistan cricketer Wajahatullah Wasti has said the Twenty20 format has caused a lot of damage to the techniques of opening batsmen. 
Sydney, May 18 : Australian professional motorcycle racer, two-time MotoGP world champion, Casey Stoner, announced that he will retire from Grand Prix racing at the 
Pune, April 30 - Veer Patel of Baroda steered his Honda CRF 250 with much panache to clinch the title in the showpiece Foreign Open class ahead of defending champion Aravind KP in the 2012 National Supercross championship here.