Tuesday, October 26, 2010
World Cup 2010 - Spain dominate Ballon d'Or shortlist
Spain's World Cup-winning squad dominated the 23-man Ballon d'Or shortlist, while British players were snubbed entirely.
Seven of the Spanish side that triumphed in South Africa are nominated for the prestigious award, including Andres Iniesta, who scored the winning goal against the Netherlands in the final, and Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.
Iniesta's Barcelona team-mates Xavi, David Villa and Carles Puyol are also in contention for the award, while Real Madrid's Iker Casillas and Xabi Alonso made the list.
But there was no place for any of the England squad following their disappointing World Cup campaign. Last year, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and John Terry all made the shortlist, plus Welshman Ryan Giggs.
France and Italy also had no players on the list following their disastrous World Cup.
Dutchman Wesley Sneijder, Argentina's Lionel Messi and Germany's Mesut Ozil are also strong contenders for the prestigious award, which has been merged with FIFA's World Player gong.
The Premier League is represented by Fabregas, Didier Drogba and Sunderland's Asamoah Gyan.
BALLON D'OR SHORTLIST
Daniel Alves (Brazil/Barcelona)
Iker Casillas (Spain/Real Madrid)
Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast/Chelsea)
Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon/Internazionale)
Cesc Fabregas (Spain/Arsenal)
Diego Forlan (Uruguay/Atletico Madrid)
Asamoah Gyan (Ghana/Sunderland)
Andres Iniesta (Spain/Barcelona)
Julio Cesar (Brazil/Internazionale)
Miroslav Klose (Germany/Bayern Munich)
Philipp Lahm (Germany/Bayern Munich)
Maicon (Brazil/Internazionale)
Lionel Messi (Argentina/Barcelona)
Thomas Muller (Germany/Bayern Munich)
Mesut Ozil (Germany/Real Madrid)
Carles Puyol (Spain/Barcelona)
Arjen Robben (Netherlands/Bayern Munich)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Real Madrid)
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany/Bayern Munich)
Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands/Internazionale)
David Villa (Spain/Barcelona)
Xabi Alonso (Spain/Real Madrid)
Xavi (Spain/Barcelona)
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Eurosport