Ten players from the Barclays Premier League have been short-listed for the title of Fifa World Player of the Year.
Defender John Terry, midfielders Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Deco, Michael Ballack, Cristiano Ronaldo, Cesc Fabregas and strikers Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba and Emmanuel Adebayor are the English-based players on the list.
Chelsea are the best represented club on the list with five player.
Fabregas and Torres are joined on the list by four of their Spanish compatriots with whom they won Euro 2008.
They are Ral Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, Barcelona midfielders Andres Iniesta and Xavi and Valencia striker David Villa
Last year's winner, Brazilian playmaker Kaka, is again in the running along with Portugal winger and favourite Cristiano Ronaldo, whose goals played a major role in Manchester United's Premier League and Champions League double.
The list, drawn up by Fifa's football committee, will now be voted on by national team coaches and captains, with the top three announced in December.
The winner will be announced at theWorld Player Gala in Zurich on January 12th.
Shortlist for Fifa World Player award: Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo), Sergio Aguero (Argentina), Andrei Arshavin (Russia), Michael Ballack (Germany), Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Iker Casillas (Spain), Deco (Portugal), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon), Cesc Fabregas (Spain), Steven Gerrard (England), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Kaka (Brazil), Frank Lampard (England), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Franck Ribery (France), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), John Terry (England), Fernando Torres (Spain), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Netherlands), David Villa (Spain) and Xavi (Spain).
