12 October 2005
Goal: Frank Lampard, 81

WATCH THE VIDEO: Frank Lampard smashes home a terrific volley to give England the win over Poland


Frank Lampard is among the favourites to win the prestigious European Footballer of the Year.

The Chelsea midfielder is joined on the short-list by six other England hopefuls but he will also face stiff competition from Barcelona’s mercurial Ronaldinho and last year’s winner Andriy Shevchenko of AC Milan.

Sven-Goran Eriksson will be especially delighted that with the World Cup fast approaching only Brazil have produced more candidates for the award.

English fans will be hoping that those nominated along with Lampard - Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney, David Beckham, Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard - will all be able to maintain the form and fitness when England go to Germany next summer.

The seven nominations reflect the success of Chelsea and Liverpool in the Champions League as well as the consistent performances of Rooney, Beckham and Owen in England’s World Cup qualifying campaign.

The Ballon D’Or was created in 1956 by the French football magazine France Football is voted on by European journalists and is considered one of the most prestigious prizes an individual footballer can receive.

Previous English winners have included Stanley Matthews, Kevin Keegan, Bobby Charlton and Michael Owen.

Nominations for European Footballer of the Year

Country 

Total

Players

Brazil

10

Adriano, Cris, Dida, Emerson, Juninho, Kaka, Roberto Carlos, Robinho, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo

England

7

Lampard, Terry, Carragher, Owen, Rooney, Beckham, Gerrard

France

7

Zidane, Henry, Coupet, Makelele, Vieira, Zidane, Thuram

Italy

5

Buffon, Pirlo, Maldini, Cannavaro, Camoranesi

Holland

4

Van Bommel, Makaay, Van Nistelrooy, Robben

Spain

3

Xavi, Raul, Luis Garcia

Portugal

3

Ronaldo, Deco, Figo

Czech Republic

2

Cech, Nedved

Germany

1

Ballack

Sweden

1

Ibrahimovic

Cameroon

1

Eto'o

Uruguay

1

Forlan

Ivory Coast

1

Drogba

Ghana

1

Essien

Ukraine

1

Shevchenko

South Korea

1

Park Ji-sung

Argentina

1

Juan Roman Riquelme