Liverpool’s Fernando Torres will find out today if his impact on the Premier League has earned him the title of Fifa World Player of the Year.
Torres is one of five players on the list, which will be announced today, after helping Spain to Euro 2008 glory and scoring an incredible 24 goals in his debut Premier League season.
Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo is the favourite to walk away with the award, having already collected the FIFPro and Ballon d’Or awards this season.
Also on the list is Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez and current holder Kaka.
After scoring 42 goals en route to Champions League and Premier League titles last season Ronaldo seems set to improve on his third place last year.
The closest challenger appears to be Barcelona’s Messi, who despite an average season with his club last season has been in blistering form since winning gold at the Beijing Olympics, helping Barca storm to a 10-point lead at the top of the Primera Liga before the winter break.
Spain’s Xavi features after playing a key role in his country’s success at Euro 2008, while Kaka is among the candidates again despite an under-par season last year with AC Milan.
The award will be made at Fifa’s world player gala in Zurich, the first time the award has been held in January.
It is also the first time five finalists have been chosen, as opposed to three.
Each national team manager and player is given a vote for their player of the year from a shortlist released by Fifa.
The women’s award has also been extended to five candidates, and this year features an English player for the first time. Kelly Smith will be up against 2007 and 2008 winner Marta and her Brazilian compatriot Cristiane, as well as Germany’s Nadine Angerer and three-time winner Birgit Prinz.
Torres is one of five players on the list, which will be announced today, after helping Spain to Euro 2008 glory and scoring an incredible 24 goals in his debut Premier League season.
Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo is the favourite to walk away with the award, having already collected the FIFPro and Ballon d’Or awards this season.
Also on the list is Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez and current holder Kaka.
After scoring 42 goals en route to Champions League and Premier League titles last season Ronaldo seems set to improve on his third place last year.
The closest challenger appears to be Barcelona’s Messi, who despite an average season with his club last season has been in blistering form since winning gold at the Beijing Olympics, helping Barca storm to a 10-point lead at the top of the Primera Liga before the winter break.
Spain’s Xavi features after playing a key role in his country’s success at Euro 2008, while Kaka is among the candidates again despite an under-par season last year with AC Milan.
The award will be made at Fifa’s world player gala in Zurich, the first time the award has been held in January.
It is also the first time five finalists have been chosen, as opposed to three.
Each national team manager and player is given a vote for their player of the year from a shortlist released by Fifa.
The women’s award has also been extended to five candidates, and this year features an English player for the first time. Kelly Smith will be up against 2007 and 2008 winner Marta and her Brazilian compatriot Cristiane, as well as Germany’s Nadine Angerer and three-time winner Birgit Prinz.
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