Messi, Ronaldo among FIFA World Player short list
October 30th, 2009 - 8:53 pm ICT by IANS ( Leave a comment )
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.
- FIFA World Player 2009 short lists - Oct 30, 2009
- Lionel Messi wins FIFA World Player of the Year award - Dec 22, 2009
- Messi crowns exceptional season with World Footballer award (Lead) - Dec 22, 2009
- Messi wins Fifa Ballon d'Or for third successive year - Jan 10, 2012
- List of FIFA World Footballer of the Year since 1991 - Dec 22, 2009
- Navas and Monreal back in Spain's squad for England, Costa Rica friendlies - Nov 08, 2011
- No England star in FIFA World Player of the Year award - Oct 27, 2010
- Casillas is World Cup top goalkeeper - Jul 12, 2010
- Cristiano Ronaldo short-listed for FIFA World Player - Dec 12, 2008
- Brazilian star Marta's message of women's power in World Cup - Jun 28, 2011
- Chelsea now eyeing to sign Real Madrid midfielder Kaka - Mar 06, 2011
- Alba lone new face in Spain's squad for Euro 2012 qualifiers - Sep 30, 2011
- Guardiola named 'best coach in the world' - Jan 07, 2012
- Di Maria's hamstring injury a blow to Real Madrid - Nov 07, 2011
- Portugal's Ronaldo is 2008 World Footballer of the Year (lead) - Jan 13, 2009
Tags: ac milan, birgit prinz, body fifa, cristiano ronaldo, european champions, fernando torres, five men, five women, gianluigi buffon, iker casillas, kaka, lionel messi, manchester united, real madrid, ronaldo, shortlist, strikers, time winners, world footballer, xavi
