Wayne Rooney is only British player on Ballon d'Or shortlist

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is the only Englishman on the ballon D'Or shortlist Wayne Rooney helped Manchester United to their 19th league title last season

Wayne Rooney is the only British player to make the Ballon d'Or World Footballer of the Year shortlist.

Barcelona have eight players on the list, including Lionel Messi, who has won the award for the past two seasons.

Nani (Man Utd), Luis Suarez (Liverpool) and Sergio Aguero (Man City) are the other England-based players named.
BRITISH BALLON D'OR WINNERS
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* 1956: Stanley Matthews
* 1964: Denis Law
* 1966: Bobby Charlton
* 1968: George Best
* 1978/79: Kevin Keegan
* 2001: Michael Owen

Arsenal's Arsene Wenger joins Sir Alex Ferguson and Chelsea's Andre Villas-Boas on the managerial list. A decision will be made on 9 January.

Rooney helped Manchester United lift a record 19th league title in 2011 - and reach the final of the European Cup.

European champions Barcelona dominate Fifa's list, with Cesc Fabregas, who spent part of 2011 with Arsenal, named alongside Messi.

Real Madrid have five nominees, including former Manchester United player Cristiano Ronaldo and ex-Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.

The shortlist will be narrowed down to three names for each category on 5 December.

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