Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Barcelona trio Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta shortlisted for Fifa Ballon d'Or

Pa
Monday 06 December 2010 07:41 EST
Comments
(GETTY IMAGES)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Barcelona trio Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta have been shortlisted for the FIFA Ballon d'Or.

Midfielders Xavi and Iniesta have enjoyed a wonderful year at both domestic and international level, enjoying success in the Primera Division with Barca and the World Cup with Spain.

But Messi is the favourite to claim the award in Zurich on January 10 after another phenomenal 12 months.

He scored 34 goals in Barca's La Liga success while he already has 15 to his name this season.

The only blemish was a goalless World Cup as Argentina exited at the quarter-final stage to Germany.

The FIFA Ballon d'Or is a new award after the two major player prizes - the FIFA World Player of the year, voted for by players and coaches, and the Ballon d'Or, which was handed out by journalists via France Football magazine - merged.

Messi won both crowns in 2009.

The three women shortlisted were Brazilian Marta, a four-time FIFA Women's World Player of the Year, and German duo Fatmire Bajramaj and Birgit Prinz.

Barca's Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, who won an unprecedented Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League treble with Inter Milan before switching to Real Madrid in the summer, and Spain's World Cup-winning coach Vicente del Bosque were shortlisted for the male coach of the year award.

Maren Meinert (Germany Under-20 national team), Silvia Neid (Germany national team) and Pia Sundhage (United States national team) will contest the women's category.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in