This is the first year of the FIFA Ballon d'Or - now that the WPOTY and the Ballon d'Or have merged. France Football has come out with the 23 player shortlist for the award. While the snub of Milito from the shortlist is causing all the controversy, who do you think are the most deserving candidates to win the Ballon d'Or this year?

My shortlist would be:

Sneijder:
- Domestic: Key playmaker for Inter winning the domestic double, scoring 4 goals in 24 Serie A games.
- Europe: Argueably the best player in the Champions League winning side, scoring 3 goals. UEFA midfielder of the year.
- World Cup: Key contributor for Holland reaching the final, scoring 5 times (and 1 assist) in 7 games (co-topscorer/Bronze boot). Also won the Silver Ball as the 2nd best player of the world cup.

Robben:
- Domestic: Scored 16 goals (in 24 games) leading Bayern to a domestic double. Bundesliga footballer of the year.
- Europe: Led Bayern to the final of the Champions league, scoring 4 times in 10 games.
- World Cup: Helped Holland reach the final, scoring 2 times.

Xavi:
- Domestic: Led Barca to historic La Liga win with 99 points. Top assists. 3 goals. Awarded 3rd best player in La Liga.
- Europe: Key midfielder for Barcelona reaching the semifinal.
- World Cup: Led Spain to their first World Cup win, most passes completed for any player in the tournament.

Forlan:
- Domestic: Forlan scored 18 goals (and 6 assists) from 30 starts in the La Liga for mid table Atletico.
- Europe: Led Atletico to victory in the Europa League, scoring 6 times.
- World Cup: Led Uruguay to the semis, scoring 5 times (and 1 assist) in 7 games (co-topscorer). Won the Golden Ball as best player of the world cup!

Villa:
- Domestic: Helped Valencia finish 3rd with 21 goals.
- Europe: Helped Valencia reach the quarters of the Europa League, scoring 6 times.
- World Cup: Led Spain to their first World Cup win, scoring 5 times (and 1 assist) in 7 games (co-topscorer/Silver Boot). Also won the Bronze Ball as the 3rd best player of the world cup.

And clearly there are others.... Messi, Milito, Iker, Iniesta, Mueller, Drogba, etc... So who do you think is the most deserving?

Rubish that they didn't include Milito after what he did in the champions league. It's going to be tight between the Spanish and Sneider who's won the C.L and went to the final of the W.C

Alive and Kicking wrote:Rubish that they didn't include Milito after what he did in the champions league. It's going to be tight between the Spanish and Sneider who's won the C.L and went to the final of the W.C

Personally, I will be disappointed if its anyone apart from Forlan and Sneijder - both these guys deserve it.

Fully expect Sneijder to be the eventual and deserving winner.

It'll probably be Midget, there are so many Spanish players nominated that their vote will be split.

Sneijder deserves it