The Argentina forward, who was nominated for the award in the last couple of years, is widely tipped to scoop the prestigious accolade this time around.

Messi, however, will have to beat off competition from Real Madrid's Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who claimed the award last year.

As expected, Ronaldo's teammate Kaka, who won the award in 2007, was also shortlisted.

The FIFA Football Committee's list includes six Spaniards, four Englishmen and three Brazilians, while the rest of the players are from other countries.

From the Premier league, Chelsea duo John Terry and Frank Lampard are named as well as Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard and Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney.

The shortlist will be trimmed to five players early in December, and the voting will be carried out by national teams' captains and head coaches.

The 2009 winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year award should be announced on December 21st.

FIFA World Player 2009 shortlist:

Michael Ballack (Germany), Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Iker Casillas (Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Diego (Brazil), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Michael Essien (Ghana), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon), Steven Gerrard (England), Thierry Henry (France), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Kaka (Brazil), Frank Lampard (England), Luis Fabiano (Brazil), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Carles Puyol (Spain), Franck Ribery (France), Wayne Rooney (England), John Terry (England), Fernando Torres (Spain), David Villa (Spain), Xavi (Spain).