
The remaining contenders for the 2008 FIFA World Player award, which will be handed out at the Zurich Opera House on 12 January 2009, were announced today.
In alphabetical order, the nominees are:
Kaká (AC Milan - Brazil)
Lionel Messi (Barcelona - Argentina)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United - Portugal)
Fernando Torres (Liverpool - Spain)
Xavi (Barcelona - Spain)
The above-mentioned nominees were confirmed after a poll in which the coaches and captains of national teams from around the world cast their votes on the basis of a list of candidates drawn up by FIFA (read more here).
Lionel Messi finished second last year, behind Kaká. Previous Barcelona winners include Romário (1994), Ronaldo (1996 and 1997), Rivaldo (1999) and Ronaldinho (2004 and 2005).


