Messi, Ronaldo and Falcao make 2012 Ballon d'Or shortlist..

Fifa has named the list of players shortlisted for the prize, with a host of star names battling it out for the crown....

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The 23-man shortlist for this year's Fifa Ballon d'Or trophy has been announced.

The selection contains 12 players who ply their trade in La Liga, including two-time winner Lionel Messi, who received the European Golden Shoe award on Monday.                                 

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to be a strong contender for the prestigious prize as well, having played a big role in his side's title success last season, with the help of fellow nominees Mesut Ozil, Iker Casillas, Karim Benzema, Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos.

The final decisions will be made by the captains and coaches of the national teams and international media representatives, before an announcement of the three finalists on November 29 in Sao Paulo.

The Ballon d'Or gala will take place at the Zurich Kongresshaus on January 7 2013, along with the presentation of the Presidential and Fair Play trophies on the same night.

BALLON D'OR NOMINEES

	Sergio Aguero	Manchester City
	Mario Balotelli	Manchester City
	Karim Benzema	Real Madrid
	Gianluigi Buffon	Juventus
	Sergio Busquets	Barcelona
	Iker Casillas	Real Madrid
	Didier Drogba	Shanghai Shenhua
	Radamel Falcao	Atletico Madrid
	Zlatan Ibrahimovic	Paris Saint-Germain
	Andres Iniesta	Barcelona
	Lionel Messi	Barcelona
	Manuel Neuer	Bayern Munich
	Neymar	Santos
	Mesut Ozil	Real Madrid
	Gerard Pique	Barcelona
	Andrea Pirlo	Juventus
	Sergio Ramos	Real Madrid
	Cristiano Ronaldo	Real Madrid
	Wayne Rooney	Manchester United
	Yaya Toure	Manchester City
	Robin van Persie	Manchester United
	Xabi Alonso	Real Madrid
	Xavi Hernandez	Barcelona