More English stars nominated for World XI award
A total of seven English players have been shortlisted for the 2012 FIFPro World XI, following the announcement of the goalkeepers, defenders and attackers who are up for consideration.
Defenders Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand and John Terry are amongst 20 players who have been nominated by their colleagues for performances with both club and country and Joe Hart is amongst the five goalkeepers up for selection.
And Wayne Rooney is shortlisted in the 15-strong group of attackers, from which only three will be selected.
Earlier this week, Three Lions captain Steven Gerrard and fellow midfielder Frank Lampard were both been named on the midfield shortlist for the line-up.
With England's involvement at Euro 2012 during the summer, Chelsea's Champions League success and Manchester City winning their first Premier League title, there has been plenty of focus on the players involved.
And they will now await the results from the election, as the World XI will be selected from 45,000 voting ballots which have been sent out to all affiliated players' unions.
The World XI will be announced during the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala on 7 January 2013.
The 55 players on the shortlist for the FIFA FIFPro World XI 2012 are:
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy, Juventus), Iker Casillas (Spain, Real Madrid), Petr Cech (Czech Republic, Chelsea), Joe Hart (England, Manchester City), Manuel Neuer (Germany, Bayern Munich)
Defenders: Jordi Alba (Spain, Barcelona), Gareth Bale (Wales, Tottenham Hotspur), Giorgio Chiellini (Italy, Juventus), Ashley Cole (England, Chelsea), Dani Alves (Brazil, Barcelona), David Luiz (Brazil, Chelsea), Patrice Evra (France, Manchester United), Rio Ferdinand (England, Manchester United), Mats Hummels (Germany, Borussia Dortmund), Branislav Ivanovic (Serbia, Chelsea), Vincent Kompany (Belgium, Manchester City), Philipp Lahm (Germany, Bayern Munich), Marcelo (Brazil, Real Madrid), Javier Mascherano (Argentina, Barcelona), Pepe (Portugal, Real Madrid), Gerard Piqué (Spain, Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Spain, Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Spain, Real Madrid), John Terry (England, Chelsea), Thiago Silva (Brazil, Paris St-Germain)
Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Spain, Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Spain, Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Spain, Barcelona), Steven Gerrard (England, Liverpool), Eden Hazard (Belgium, Chelsea), Andrés Iniesta (Spain, Barcelona), Frank Lampard (England, Chelsea), Luka Modric (Croatia, Real Madrid), Mesut Özil (Germany, Real Madrid), Andrea Pirlo (Italy, Juventus), Franck Ribéry (France, Bayern Munich), David Silva (Spain, Manchester City), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany, Bayern Munich), Yaya Touré (Ivory Coast, Manchester City), Xavi Hernández (Spain, Barcelona)
Forwards: Sergio Agüero (Argentina, Manchester City), Mario Balotelli (Italy, Manchester City), Karim Benzema (France, Real Madrid), Edinson Cavani (Uruguay, AS Napoli), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast, Shanghai Shenhua), Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon, Anzhi Makhachkala), Radamel Falcao (Colombia, Atlético Madrid), Mario Gomez (Germany, Bayern Munich), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden, Paris Saint-Germain), Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona), Neymar (Brazil, Santos), Robin van Persie (The Netherlands, Manchester United), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid), Wayne Rooney (England, Manchester United), Luis Suarez (Uruguay, Liverpool).