Kaka, Messi nominated for FIFA Player award

On the women’s side, Brazil striker Marta can win the title for a second year in a row, but is competing against Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer — who didn’t concede a single goal at this year’s Women’s World Cup — and United States striker Abby Wambach.

Coaches and captains of men’s and women’s national teams around the world will be eligible to vote, and soccer’s world governing body will announce the three male and three female players with the most votes in early December. The winners will be chosen from those finalists and presented with the awards at the Zurich Opera House on December 17.

The men’s list is dominated by players who play in Europe’s four biggest leagues —England, Italy, Spain and Germany. Juninho, who plays for French champion Lyon, is the only exception. Chelsea stars Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko were both left off the list after struggling this year at the Premier League club, while Inter Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Juventus’ David Trezeguet were also omitted.