Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo have made the 23-man shortlist for the 2011 Fifa Ballon d'Or award.
The list is dominated by 2010 World Cup winners Spain, with seven candidates to win the trophy, while 2011 Copa America holders Uruguay have two players in contention.
Furthermore, three German players are in with a shout, while France, Argentina and Brazil have all had to settle for two candidates each.
Anzhi Makhachkala striker Samuel Eto'o is the only African player to have made the cut.
Champions League holders Barcelona have had more of their players nominated than any other club side, with eight individuals on the 23-man list.
The winner of the award will be revealed at the Zurich Kongresshaus on January 9, 2012. On December 5, 2011 Fifa and France Football will announce the names of the three men who have received the most votes.
Messi won last year's award, taking the title ahead of team-mates Andres Iniesta and Xavi.
Full list:
Eric Abidal, Karim Benzema (France), Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi (Argentina), Iker Casillas, Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, David Villa, Xabi Alonso, Xavi (Spain),
Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani (Portugal), Dani Alves, Neymar (Brazil), Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon), Diego Forlan, Luis Suarez (Uruguay), Thomas Muller, Mesut Ozil, Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Wayne Rooney (England), Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands).
Meanwhile, the following 10 coaches are in contention for the Fifa World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football 2011:
Full list:
Vicente del Bosque (Spain national team), Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United), Rudi Garcia (Lille), Pep Guardiola (Barcelona), Jurgen Klopp (Borussia Dortmund), Joachim Low (Germany national team), Jose Mourinho (Real Madrid), Oscar Tabarez (Uruguay national team), Andre Villas-Boas (Porto, Chelsea), Arsene Wenger (Arsenal).
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