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Real Madrid's Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo looks at the names of the top six ranked players of the Castrol rankings system during its launch in Madrid, - Source: Reuters
Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, the last two winners of the World Player of the Year award, have been included in a FIFA shortlist for this year's accolade.
The 23-man shortlist was drawn up by FIFA's Football Committee and will be voted on by the captains and head coaches of the world's national teams with the winner to be announced on December 21.
FIFA shortlist:
Michael Ballack - Germany
Gianluigi Buffon - Italy
Iker Casillas - Spain
Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal
Diego - Brazil
Didier Drogba - Ovory Coast
Michael Essien - Ghana
Samuel Eto'o - Cameroon
Steve 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
