The list includes only players who have reached the last four, according to FIFA regulations.

Italy, who have reached the World Cup final at the expense of hosts Germany, had the largest amount of players in the shortlist as keeper Gianluigi Buffon, midfielder Andrea Pirlo and defensive duo Fabio Cannavaro and Gianluca Zambrotta were nominated.

The list also included France's trio Zinedine Zidane, Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry, who played a pivotal role in leading their country to the tournament's final for the second time in eight years.

Germany duo Michael Ballack and Miroslav Klose are candidates along with Portugal midfielder Maniche.

In the Young Player category, the shortlist is made up of Argentina's Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas of Spain, Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, German Lukas Podolski, Tranquillo Barnetta of Switzerland and Ecuador's Luis Valencia.