FIFA has announced the shortlist of five players who are still in contention to receive the world player of the year 2009 award. The winner of the prize, the most prestigious honor an individual footballer can receive, will be announced at the 19th FIFA Player Gala 2009 on the 21st December.
FIFA World Player Of The Year Shortlist
The international coaches and captains of the FIFA nations chose the five shortlisted players from a list of 23 players drawn up by FIFA experts. All five players will be appearing, and hoping to make a giant impact at next year's World Cup.
- Cristiano Ronaldo – Real Madrid/ Portugal
- Andres Iniesta – Barcelona/ Spain
- Kaka – Real Madrid/ Brazil
- Lionel Messi – Barcelona/ Argentina
- Xavi – Barcelona/ Spain
Player of the Year Favorite – Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is the firm favorite to win the coveted prize. The five men contending this award were all in the top six players when the Ballon d’Or was announced early this year. Many believe that the result will mirror the outcome of the European player of the year award and Messi will again beat last year’s winner Christiano Ronaldo into second place. Winning the award will reaffirm the Barcelona forward’s claim to be the best player in the world and cap an incredible year that culminated in scoring the winning goal in Champions League final.
Dominance Of Barcelona And Real Madrid
All five of the players on the shortlist play for the two giants of Spanish football, Real Madrid and Barcelona. Messi, Xavi and Iniesta all played an essential part in Barcelona’s unprecedented triple season that saw them win the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey. The two players representing Real Madrid, however, were both purchased this summer as part of the clubs desire to create a new team of Galacticos.
Women’s World Player Of The Year Award
The FIFA Player Gala will also see the announcement of the female world player of the year award.
- Cristiane – Chicago Red Stars/ Brazil
- Inka Grings – FCR 2001 Duisburg/ Germany
- Marta – Los Angeles Sol/ Brazil
- Birgit Prinz – 1. FFC Frankfurt/ Germany
- Kelly Smith – Boston Breakers/ England
Both the male and female world player of the year awards will be announce at the FIFA Player Gala, along with two new awards. The FIFA Puskas Award will be awarded for the best goal of the year, and the The FIFA/FIFPro World XI that will honor last year’s best player in every position.
Tom Ravenscroft - Tom Ravenscroft is a freelance journalist and academic who currently resides in the UK. Though he feels particularly educated in ...
Join the Conversation