Spanish World Cup winners dominate FIFA award shortlist
Published:Tuesday | October 26, 2010 | 3:29 PM
Seven of Spain's World Cup winning-squad have been shortlisted for FIFA's Ballon d'Or award.
Andres Iniesta, who scored the winning goal in the final, is nominated along with Barcelona team-mates Xavi, Carles Puyol and David Villa.
Real Madrid's Iker Casillas and Xabi Alonso are also listed.
Cesc Fabregas of Spain and Arsenal is nominated, along with Chelsea's Didier Drogba and Asamoah Gyan of Sunderland, but there are no English nominees.
The award was previously only for players in Europe but has now merged with FIFA's World Player of the year award into one ultimate honour.
Four members of the Inter Milan side who won last year's Italian League and Cup and the Champions League are also on the list - Samuel Eto'o, Julio Cesar, Maicon and Wesley Sneijder.
Jose Mourinho, the coach who led the Italian outfit to that triple success, joins Carlo Ancelotti of Chelsea, Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson of and Arsene Wenger of Arsenal on the shortlist for the inaugural world coach of the year award.
England striker Kelly Smith and coach Hope Powell are nominated in the women's categories.
The winners will be revealed in Zurich on January 10.