Luis Suarez and Wayne Rooney headline a short list of English Premier League stars that will be nominated for the FIFA Balon D’Or award. The “Golden Ball” goes to the world’s best soccer player during the previous season, according to the Daily Mail.
The soon-to-be released list of nominees also includes Rooney’s Manchester United teammate, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez. Manchester City duo Sergio Aguero and David Silva also appear among the list of top EPL performers.
Barcelona and Argentina star Lionel Messi won the inaugural FIFA Balon D’Or award last year. In 2010 two seperate awards — France Football’s Ballon d’Or and the former FIFA World Player of the Year — were combined and this is now recognized as the authoritative player of the year award.
National team coaches and captains, as well as journalists from around the globe vote on it.
The list of nominees also includes stars from Spain’s La Liga, Germany’s Bundesliga and Italy’s Serie A. Predictably, reigning European champions Barcelona dominate the list with nine representatives.
The initial list will be voted on by the ranks of coaches and captains and whittled down to three. Those final nominees will be announced on Dec. 5. FIFA will present award on Jan. 9.
Messi is expected to retain his title, but faces competition from teammate Xavi and Real Madrid’sCristiano Ronaldo.
