PARIS (AP) — Barcelona players Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez and Lionel Messi are the three nominees for the FIFA Ballon d’Or World Player of the Year award.
Midfielders Iniesta and Xavi helped Spain win its first World Cup title, while Argentine forward Messi played a major role in Barcelona’s Spanish title defense.
Messi won last year when France Football magazine presented the award for the best player in Europe. It merged this year with FIFA’s World Player of the Year award to create one trophy.
Inter Milan’s Jose Mourinho, Spain’s Vicente del Bosque and Barcelona’s Pep Guardiola are the finalists for the inaugural Coach of the Year award.
The winner will be announced in January.
