Liverpool are odds-on to defeat struggling Aston Villa at Anfield tonight
A Barcelona player will win the FIFA Ballon d’Or in 2010 after current holder Lionel Messi, along with team-mates Andres Iniesta and Xavi, were named on the final short-list for the award.
The three Barca players all shone for their club again last season, helping them to win the Spanish title again.
All three won the Spanish League title with Barcelona and all also played at the World Cup finals, with Iniesta and Xavi enjoying yet more success as Spain triumphed in South Africa.
FIFA released an initial short-list of 23 players in October but they have now narrowed it down to three. The winner will be announced in Zurich on 10th January.
The revamped award is a combination of the FIFA World Player of the Year award and the Ballon d’Or, run by France Football magazine.
Meanwhile, Fifa have also announced the names in contention for their Coach of the Year award.
World Cup winner Vicente del Bosque of Spain is up against Barcelona’s Pep Guardiola and Real Madrid’s Jose Mourinho, who won the Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia with Inter last season.
Liverpool are odds-on to defeat struggling Aston Villa at Anfield tonight
