AlHijjah 13, 1433, Oct 29, 2012, SPA -- Three-times reigning World Footballer of the Year Lionel Messi heads a list of 23 players revealed on Monday as the candidates for the biggest honour in the sport for 2012, dpa reported. The Argentina Messi is joined by four Barcelona team-mates: Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique in the list published by the ruling body FIFA and France Football magazine. Spanish champions Real Madrid even have six players in Cristiano Ronaldo, Iker Casillas, Karim Benzema, Sergio Ramos, Mesut Oezil, Xabi Alonso. Spain are also the leading nation with seven players after getting back-to-back European championship titles. The 23 will narrowed down to a shortlist of three by national team captains and coaches as well as media representatives. The list will be announced on November 29 and the World Footballer will be named on January 7 at the FIFA gala in Zurich Also published was a shortlist of 10 coaches for their award, including former Barca coach Pep Guardiola, Roberto di Matteo from Champions League winners Chelsea, Real's Jose Mourinho and Spain coach Vicente del Bosque. Player nominees: Sergio Aguero (Argentina, Manchester City) Xabi Alonso (Spain, Real Madrid) Mario Balotelli (Italy, Manchester City) Karim Benzema (France, Real Madrid) Gianluigi Buffon (Italy, Juventus) Sergio Busquets (Spain, Barcelona) Iker Casillas (Spain, Real Madrid) Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid) Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast, Chelsea/Shanghai Shenhua) Radamel Falcao (Colombia, Atletico Madrid) Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden, AC Milan/Paris St Germain) Andres Iniesta (Spain, Barcelona) Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona) Manuel Neuer (Germany, Bayern Munich) Neymar (Brazil, Santos) Mesut Oezil (Germany, Real Madrid) Gerard Pique (Spain, Barcelona) Andrea Pirlo (Italy, Juventus) Sergio Ramos (Spain, Real Madrid) Wayne Rooney (England, Manchester United) Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast, Manchester City) Robin van Persie (Netherlands, Arsenal/Manchester United) Xavi (Spain, Barcelona) Coach nominees: Vicente del Bosque (Spain/Spain national team) Roberto Di Matteo (Italy/Chelsea) Alex Ferguson (Scotland/Manchester United) Pep Guardiola (Spain/formerly Barcelona) Jupp Heynckes (Germany/Bayern Munich) Juergen Klopp (Germany/Borussia Dortmund) Joachim Loew (Germany/Germany national team) Roberto Mancini (Italy/Manchester City) Jose Mourinho (Portugal/Real Madrid) Cesare Prandelli (Italy/Italy national team)
