Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez have made
FIFA's shortlist for the World Player of the Year award.
AC Milan's Brazilian midfielder Kaka is being touted as the
favourite to win the prestigious accolade, although he faces stiff
competition, particularly from the likes of United's very own
Cristiano Ronaldo, who was instrumental in the Reds' title success
last season.
The successor to last year's winner, Italy's inspirational defender
Fabio Cannavaro, will be announced at the FIFA World Player Gala
2007 on 17 December in Zurich.
World Player of the Year shortlist: Buffon (Juventus, Italy),
Cannavaro (Real Madrid, Italy), Cech (Chelsea, Czech Rep),
Ronaldo (United, Portugal), Deco
(Barcelona, Portugal), Drogba (Chelsea, Ivory Coast), Essien
(Chelsea, Ghana), Eto'o (Barcelona, Cameroon), Gattuso (Milan,
Italy), Gerrard (Liverpool, England), Henry (Barcelona, France),
Juninho (Lyon, Brazil), Kaka (Milan, Brazil), Klose (Bayern Munich,
Germany), Lahm (Bayern Munich, Germany), Lampard (Chelsea,
England), Marquez (Barcelona, Mexico), Messi (Barcelona,
Argentina), Nesta (Milan, Italy), Pirlo (Milan, Italy), Ribery
(Bayern Munich, France), Riquelme (Villarreal, Argentina),
Ronaldinho (Barcelona, Brazil), Rooney
(United, England), Terry (Chelsea, England), Tevez (United, Argentina), Thuram (Barcelona,
France), Torres (Liverpool, Spain), Van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid,
Holland), Vieira (Inter Milan, France).
