The stars of the English top flight are joined by the likes of Radamel Falcao, Cristiano Ronaldo & three-time winner Lionel Messi on the shortlist of the world's best players

BALLON D'OR NOMINEES



Sergio Aguero Manchester City Mario Balotelli Manchester City Karim Benzema Real Madrid Gianluigi Buffon Juventus Sergio Busquets Barcelona Iker Casillas Real Madrid Didier Drogba Shanghai Shenhua Radamel Falcao Atletico Madrid Zlatan Ibrahimovic PSG Andres Iniesta Barcelona Lionel Messi Barcelona Manuel Neuer Bayern Munich Neymar Santos Mesut Ozil Real Madrid Gerard Pique Barcelona Andrea Pirlo Juventus Sergio Ramos Real Madrid Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid Wayne Rooney Manchester United Yaya Toure Manchester City Robin van Persie Manchester United Xabi Alonso Real Madrid Xavi Hernandez Barcelona

Five stars currently plying their trade in the Premier League have been nominated for Fifa's prestigious Ballon d'Or award.The award is presented to the player who has been voted as the world's best by managers and captains of international teams, as well as a number of journalists.Premier League champions Manchester City provide three players, with Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure and Mario Balotelli all making the list after a host of impressive displays last season.They are joined by two players from the other side of the city, with Manchester United duo Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie also selected.Van Persie finished as the league's top goalscorer last season, netting a staggering 30 goals at Arsenal, whilst Rooney came in second place with 27.Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has also been shortlisted after scoring the winning penalty in the Champions League final before leaving the club.They will battle it out with a number of the usual suspects, including three-time winner Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and in-form Chelsea target Radamel Falcao.