Cristiano Ronaldo has been named among the five contenders for the Fifa World Player of the Year award.
Ronaldo, Messi, Kaka, Torres and Xavi in the running for top gong
Cristiano Ronaldo has been named among the five contenders for the Fifa World Player of the Year award.
The Manchester United winger has already taken the FIFPro accolade and the Ballon d'Or this year and will be hoping to complete a clean sweep of individual honours.
Among those hoping to prevent the Portuguese superstar from taking the gong is last year's winner Kaka and Barcelona's talismanic playmaker Lionel Messi.
Following Spain's success at Euro 2008, two members of their Championship-winning side are also included.
Liverpool's Fernando Torres enjoyed a spectacular year for club and country, while Barca schemer Xavi was named the tournament's best player in Austria and Switzerland over the summer.
The shortlist has been complied after coaches and team captains from around the world were asked to vote for their top choice.
The announcement of who has taken the top three places will take place at a glitzy gala at the Zurich Opera House on 12th January.
