FIFA have announced the 55-man shortlist for the FIFPro World XI 2011, including the likes of British stars Wayne Rooney, Gareth Bale and John Terry.
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand and Chelsea duo Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole complete the British contenders.
The Premier League have their fair share of players in the list including Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, Red Devils' Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra and Nani. Manchester City quartet Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Yaya Toure have also been shortlisted.
Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid dominate FIFA's list with 22 players, including former best player in the world Cristiano Ronaldo, Andreas Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi and Lionel Messi.
Arsenal frontman Robin van Persie has been recognised by the global governing body, while Chelsea defender David Luiz makes a surprise appearance on the list.
The 55-man shortlist in full:
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy, Juventus ), Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Manuel Neuer (Germany, Bayern Munich), Víctor Valdes (Spain, Barcelona), Edwin van der Sar (Netherlands, retired, formerly Manchester United).
Defenders: Eric Abidal (France, Barcelona), Dani Alves (Brazil, Barcelona), Ricardo Carvalho (Portugal, Real Madrid), Ashley Cole (England, Chelsea), Patrice Evra (France, Manchester United), Rio Ferdinand (England, Manchester United), Vincent Kompany (Belgium, Manchester City), Philipp Lahm (Germany, Bayern Munich), Lucio (Brazil, Inter Milan), David Luiz (Brazil, Chelsea), Maicon (Brazil, Inter Milan), Marcelo (Brazil, Real Madrid), Alessandro Nesta (Italy, AC Milan), Pepe (Portugal, Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Spain, Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Spain, Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Spain, Real Madrid), Thiago Silva (Brazil, AC Milan), John Terry (England, Chelsea), Nemanja Vidic (Serbia, Manchester United).
Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Spain, Real Madrid), Gareth Bale (Wales, Tottenham Hotspur), Sergio Busquets (Spain, Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Spain, Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Spain, Barcelona), Kaka (Brazil, Real Madrid), Frank Lampard (England, Chelsea), Nani (Portugal, Manchester United), Mesut Ozil (Germany, Real Madrid), Andrea Pirlo (Italy, Juventus), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany, Bayern Munich), David Silva (Spain, Manchester City), Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands, Inter Milan), Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast, Manchester City), Xavi (Spain, Barcelona).
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid), Wayne Rooney (England, Manchester Utd), David Villa (Spain, Barcelona), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon, Anzhi), Sergio Aguero (Argentina, Manchester City), Neymar (Brazil, Santos), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast, Chelsea), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden, AC Milan), Luis Suarez (Uruguay, Liverpool), Radamel Falcao (Colombia, Atletico Madrid), Edinson Cavani (Uruguay, Napoli), Karim Benzema (France, Real Madrid), Mario Gomez (Germany, Bayern Munich), Robin van Persie (Netherlands, Arsenal).
Danielle Joynson
