Messi, Iniesta and Xavi shortlisted for Ballon d’Or award

The FIFA Ballon d’Or award for the best player of 2010 is destined for Barcelona, as all three nominees play for the Catalan club.

The contenders for the award were announced at a press conference held at the headquarters of the sports daily L’Equipe in Paris on Monday.

Andrés Iniesta, Lional Messi and Xaxi have all made the shortlist after a poll in which the captains and head coaches of the national teams as well as international media representatives selected by France Football voted for candidates.

The candidates for the newly created FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football award were also announced.

Vicente del Bosque (Spain), Pep Guardiola (Barcelona) and José Mourinho (Inter Milan and Real Madrid) are the three contenders for the new gong.

The winners will be revealed at the first FIFA Ballon d’Or gala as part of a televised ceremony at the Zurich Kongresshaus on 10 January 2011.