Lionel Messi Leads World Player Award Candidates

Lionel Messi has to be seen as the favorite for the World Player of the Year award after the list of 23 candidates was released.

Messi has won the award the past two seasons and could face the stiffest challenge from his illustrious teammates at Barcelona. Seven Barca players other than Messi have been named to the award’s shortlist.

The other Barca players on the list include Eric Abidal, Dani Alves, Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta, David Villa, Xavi, and Gerard Pique. Pique, Abidal, and Alves were the only defenders named to the list.

Real Madrid added five players to the list, bringing the Spanish giants combined total of players to 12, over half the candidates. Cristiano Ronaldo, Iker Casillas, Karim Benzema, Mesut Ozil, and Xabi Alonso are the five that made it for Los Blancos. Casillas is the only nominated goalkeeper.

Champions League runner-up Manchester United produced a pair for the list. Portugal star Nani finds his way onto the list following a breakout season. He is joined by re-emerged star Wayne Rooney for the Red Devils. Rooney is the only England player nominated, a year after England produced zero finalists.

Rounding out the list is Manchester City sensation Sergio Aguero, Uruguayans Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez, Thomas Muller and Bastian Schweinsteiger of Germany, starlet Neymar, and Dutch star and Manchester United rumor king Wesley Sneijder.