FIFA has short listed 23 players for the prestigious FIFA World Player of the Year award. Last year’s winner, and a hot favorite for the award, Cristiano Ronaldo will face prime competition from England stars John Terry, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney.

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi is also being touted as a strong contender for this year’s award.

Will he do it again?

Cristiano Ronaldo

Tough Competition

Steven Gerrad	Frank Lampard	Wanye Rooney	Lionel Messi

The winner of the award is selected on the basis of votes by the captains and head coaches of the men’s and women’s national teams and at the beginning of December. The winner will be announced during the 19th FIFA World Player Gala at the Zurich Kongresshaus on Monday 21 December 2009.

Here’s a list of the 23 contenders:

• Michael Ballack (Germany)
• Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)
• Iker Casillas (Spain)
• Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
• Diego (Brazil)
• Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)
• Michael Essien (Ghana)
• Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)
• Steven Gerrard (England)
• Thierry Henry (France)
• Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden)
• Andres Iniesta (Spain)
• Kaka (Brazil)
• Frank Lampard (England)
• Luis Fabiano (Brazil)
• Lionel Messi (Argentina)
• Carles Puyol (Spain)
• Franck Ribery (France)
• Wayne Rooney (England)
• John Terry (England)
• Fernando Torres (Spain)
• David Villa (Spain
• Xavi (Spain)