African duo picked for Fifa award

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 (Ivory Coast) and Sunderland’s Asamoah Gyan (Ghana), 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. No English players are in contention, although Real Madrid’s former Manchester United midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo is on the list, as are his Madrid team-mate Mesut Ozil and reigning European and world player of the year Lionel Messi of Argentina and Barcelona. Four members of the Inter Milan side who won last year’s Italian League and Cup and the Champions League are on the list - Samuel Eto’o, Julio Cesar, Maicon and Wesley Sneijder. Agencies

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African duo picked for Fifa award