This is a star-studded list, it has always been anyways. The list was drawn up few days ago and trust me, they all deserve the gong. We have a 15-man shortlist, 6 out of the 15 players are from LaLiga, 4 from German League, 3 from the English Premier League and 2 from the Italian League. The winner of the The Fifpro World XI (midfielder) will be announced at Fifa’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in Zurich on January 13.

Who’s your bet on?

Shortlist of Midfielders:

(1) Xabi Alonso (Spain, Real Madrid)

(2) Gareth Bale (Wales, Real Madrid)

(3) Sergio Busquets (Spain, Barcelona).   
 (4) Steven Gerrard (England, Liverpool)
(5) Andres Iniesta (Spain, Barcelona)

(6) Isco (Spain, Real Madrid)

(7) Mesut Ozil (Germany, Arsenal)

(8) Andrea Pirlo (Italy, Juventus)

(9) Marco Reus (Germany, Dortmund)
(10) Franck Ribery (France, Bayern)
(11) Arjen Robben (Netherlands, Bayern).
(12) Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany, Bayern Munich)

(13) Yaya Toure (Cote d’Ivoire, Man City)
       
 (14) Arturo Vidal (Chile, Juventus)

(15) Xavi (Spain, Barcelona).