FIFA Announces 2012 Ballon d'Or Nominees

Football governing body FIFA has shortlisted 23-players for this year's Ballon d'Or trophy, the most coveted individual award in football. The award will be decided by votes from coaches and captains of international teams, as well as journalists from around the world.

The award ceremony will take place on January 7, 2013 at Zurich Kongresshaus. Below are this year’s nominees.


1.Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)
2.Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
3.Radamel Falcao (Atletico Madrid)
4.Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
5.Gerard Pique (Barcelona)
6.Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
7.Robin van Persie (Manchester Utd)
8.Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid)
9.Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
10.Mario Balotelli (Manchester City)
11.Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint-Germain)
12.Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
13.Andrea Pirlo (Juventus)
14.Wayne Rooney (Manchester Utd)
15.Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona)
16.Sergio Busquets (Barcelona)
17.Didier Drogba (Shanghai Shenhua)
18.Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
19.Neymar (Santos)
20.Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
21.Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
22.Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
23.Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid).