Messi on FIFA shortlist as he seeks World Player award hat-trick
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Zurich- Two-times reigning World Footballer of the Year Lionel Messi heads a list of 23 nominees for the 2011 top honour published on Tuesday by the ruling body FIFA.
The Argentina star Messi is one of eight players from Champions League winners Barcelona in contention for the FIFA Ballon d'Or award to be announced on January 9, 2012.
Eternal Spanish rivals Real Madrid have five players on the list, including former winner Cristiano Ronaldo, while Manchester United's Wayne Rooney is the only English nominee.
FIFA also published a list 10 men for the Coach of the Year award, featuring Spain's Vicente del Bosque, Barca's Pep Guardiola and Real's Jose Mourinho.
