Ronaldo, Messi on FIFA player of the year list

Zurich: Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi are on a 23-player shortlist for this year's FIFA player of the year award.

Other contenders include Barcelona teammates Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Carlos Puyol and Thierry Henry. Samuel Eto'o, who won the Champions League title with Barcelona before moving to Inter Milan, is also on the list.

Champions League runner-up Manchester United is represented by Wayne Rooney. Ronaldo, last year's winner, left United in the offseason, is joined by Madrid teammates Iker Casillas and Kaka.

Brazil forward Marta won the last women's awards and has been nominated again.

The award ceremony is scheduled for December 21 in Zurich.

<b>Men</b>

Michael Ballack (Germany, Chelsea)
Gianluigi Buffon (Italy, Juventus)
Iker Casillas (Spain, Real Madrid)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid)
Diego (Brazil, Juventus)
Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast, Chelsea)
Michael Essien (Ghana, Chelsea)
Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon, Inter Milan)
Steven Gerrard (England, Liverpool)
Thierry Henry (France, Barcelona)
Xavi Hernandez (Spain, Barcelona)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden, Barcelona)
Andres Iniesta (Spain, Barcelona)
Kaka (Brazil, Real Madrid)
Frank Lampard (England, Chelsea)
Luis Fabiano (Brazil, Sevilla)
Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona)
Carles Puyol (Spain, Barcelona)
Franck Ribery (France, Bayern Munich)
Wayne Rooney (England, Manchester United)
John Terry (England, Chelsea)
Fernando Torres (Spain, Liverpool)
David Villa (Spain, Valencia)

<b>Women</b>

Nadine Angerer (Germany)
Sonia Bompastor (France)
Cristiane (Brazil)
Inka Grings (Germany)
Mana Iwabuchi (Japan)
Simone Laudehr (Germany)
Marta (Brazil)
Birgit Prinz (Germany)
Kelly Smith (England)
Abby Wambach (United States)