Spain Dominate Nominations

The shortlist for the prestigious Ballon d'Or, given to the best player in world football, is dominated by members of Spain's World Cup-winning squad, while just three players from the Premier League have made the running.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, Sunderland forward Asamoah Gyan and Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas have been nominated for the award, but that is the only Premier League representation, and there are no Englishmen in the line-up.

Wayne Rooney might have expected to pick up a nomination, having scored 34 times last season to be voted Premier League Player of the Year, but his year has been marred by disappointing performances.

Frank Lampard, who helped guide Chelsea to the Premier League title with 27 goals, also missed out.

Fabregas was one of seven members of Spain's World Cup-winning squad to be shortlisted.

Andres Iniesta, who scored the winning goal in the Johannesburg final against Holland in July, is among the contenders along with his Barcelona team-mates Xavi, Carles Puyol and David Villa.

Spain captain Iker Casillas and his Real Madrid colleague Xabi Alonso also make the list.

Barca's Argentina forward Lionel Messi and Brazil right-back Daniel Alves, Atletico Madrid forward Diego Forlan - who scored five goals at the World Cup and received the Golden Ball award - and Real Madrid pair Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Ozil make up 11 players nominated from La Liga.

Inter Milan quartet Samuel Eto'o, Julio Cesar, Maicon and Wesley Sneijder are also included after winning an unprecedented Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League treble last term, with their former coach Jose Mourinho heading the candidates for the inaugural World Coach of the Year award.

Messi is the reigning Ballon d'Or winner and Fifa World Player of the Year.

The awards have now been merged, so the best player in the world will now be recognised by a single accolade - the Fifa Ballon d'Or.

The final decisions will be made by the captains and head coaches of the national teams as well as by international media representatives selected by France Football. The winners will be revealed in Zurich on Jan 10.

World Player of the Year nominees: Xabi Alonso (Spain), Daniel Alves (Brazil), Iker Casillas (Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon), Cesc Fabregas (Spain), Diego Forlan (Uruguay), Asamoah Gyan (Ghana), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Julio Cesar (Brazil), Miroslav Klose (Germany), Philipp Lahm (Germany), Maicon (Brazil), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Thomas Muller (Germany), Mesut Ozil (Germany), Carles Puyol (Spain), Arjen Robben (Holland), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Wesley Sneijder (Holland), David Villa (Spain) and Xavi (Spain).

World Coach of the Year nominees: Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea), Vicente del Bosque (Spain), Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United), Pep Guardiola (FC Barcelona), Joachim Low (Germany), Jose Mourinho (Inter Milan/Real Madrid), Oscar Tabarez (Uruguay), Louis Van Gaal (Bayern Munich), Bert van Marwijk (Holland) and Arsene Wenger (Arsenal).