Seven players from Real Madrid have been included in the 50-strong short list for France Football magazine’s European Footballer of the Year award.

Former winner Zinedine Zidane, is joined by team-mates Roberto Carlos, Raul Gonzalez, Luis Figo, Iker Casillas, Claude Makele and Ronaldo in the running for the 47th Ballon d’Or.

Milan have four nominations with Rivaldo, Filippo Inzaghi, Paolo Maldini and Jon Dahl Tomasson. Manchester United are the other club to have four nomminations with Ruud van Nistelrooy, David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs included on the shortlist.

Last year’s winner Michael Owen singled out Roberto Carlos, who achieved the rare feat of winning the European and World Cup in the same season.

“Roberto Carlos won the Champions League as well as the World Cup while Zidane remains one of the best players in the world even if France did not perform well at the World Cup,’ said Owen.

‘I also like Thierry Henry very much and I think I would put him in my list of favourites.”

The full list: