Zurich, Oct 30 (DPA) Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the top picks for the 2009 World Footballer of the Year award as part of a 23-player shortlist published Friday by the ruling body FIFA.
Ronaldo, who left Manchester United for Real Madrid in summer, won the prestigious prize last year.

But Barcelona’s Messi could be the man this year, given his club’s outstanding season highlighted by the European Champions League title Barca won in summer.

The shortlist features six players from Spain, ranging from goalkeeper Iker Casillas to midfielder Xavi and strikers Fernando Torres and David Villa.

It includes the 2007 World Footballer Kaka, who is now also at Real Madrid in a summer transfer from AC Milan. Former football superpower Italy has only one candidate in goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

The women’s list of 10 players is led by three-time winners Marta of Brazil and Birgit Prinz of Germany.

The shortlists will be cut to five men and five women in early December and the announcement takes place at the FIFA World Player Gala, Dec 19.