Ballon D'Or Nominees Gallery: Sneijder, Xavi Favorites Ahead of Messi, Ronaldo

The FIFA Ballon d'Or nominees were announced today, with World Cup winners Spain contributing seven players to the shortlist of 23.

Last year's winner Lionel Messi of Barcelona, and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo both made the list--but both are outsiders to take the plaudits as best footballer on the planet.

The favorites to scoop that accolade are Barcelona and Spain's Xavi, and Inter Milan's Dutch international Wesley Sneijder.

1. Xabi Alonso

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MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 19: Xabi Alonso (R) of Real Madrid duels for the ball with Andrea Pirlo of AC Milan during the UEFA Champions League group G match between Real Madrid and AC Milan at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 19, 2010 in Madrid, Sp

Real Madrid and Spain's visionary midfielder.

2. Daniel Alves

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BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 20: Daniel Alves of Barcelona reacts during the UEFA Champions League group D match between Barcelona and FC Copenhagen at the Camp Nou stadium on October 20, 2010 in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona won the match 2-0. (Photo by Ja

Flying full-back for Barcelona and Brazil.

3. Iker Casillas

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GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - OCTOBER 12: Iker Casillas of Spain during the UEFA EURO 2012 Group I Qualifier match between Scotland and Spain at Hampden Park on October 12, 2010 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Real Madrid and Spain goalkeeper. And national treasure.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo

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MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 23: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring Real's 5th goal during the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Racing Santander at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 23, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Do

Great season at Real Madrid last year, but not a great World Cup.

5. Didier Drogba

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LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 03: Didier Drogba of Chelsea celebrates after team mate Alex scored during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on October 3, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Ima

Terrorized Premier League defenses once again last season. At his best, unplayable.

6. Samuel Eto'o

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MILAN, ITALY - OCTOBER 24: Samuel Eto'o of FC Internazionale Milano reacts during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale Milano and UC Sampdoria at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on October 24, 2010 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Won the treble with Jose Mourinho's Inter, on the back of the treble he'd won at Barcelona. Not bad.

7. Cesc Fabregas

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: Cesc Fabregas of Arsenal holds off Vincent Kompany of City during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal at City of Manchester Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Manchester, England. (Photo by

Mercurial creator in Arsenal's midfield.

8. Diego Forlan

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PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 10: Diego Forlan of Uruguay in action during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Third Place Play-off match between Uruguay and Germany at The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on July 10, 2010 in Port Elizabeth, South Afric

Surprise star of the World Cup, who shot on sight and usually scored.

9. Asamoah Gyan

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WIGAN, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Asamoah Gyan of Sunderland in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Wigan Athletic and Sunderland at DW Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Getty Images)

Ghana striker who earned a lucrative move to the Premier League on the back of his World Cup performances.

10. Andres Iniesta

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ZARAGOZA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 23: Andres Iniesta of Barcelona looks on during the La Liga match between Real Zaragoza and Barcelona at La Romareda on October 23, 2010 in Zaragoza, Spain. Barcelona won the match 2-0. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Brilliant Spanish midfielder who scored the winning goal in the World Cup Final.

11. Julio Cesar

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MILAN, ITALY - OCTOBER 20: Julio Cesar of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates the goal of Javier Zanetti during the UEFA Champions League Group A match between FC Internazionale Milano and Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on October 20, 20

Champions League winner with Inter Milan.

12. Miroslav Klose

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DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 07: Miroslav Klose of Germany leaves the field dejected after being knocked out of the competition following the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Semi Final match between Germany and Spain at Durban Stadium on July 7, 2010 in

Germany hitman who can't stop scoring at the World Cup.

13. Philipp Lahm

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BLOEMFONTEIN, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 27: Philipp Lahm of Germany takes a throw in during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Round of Sixteen match between Germany and England at Free State Stadium on June 27, 2010 in Bloemfontein, South Africa. (Photo by

Swashbuckling Germany full-back who led his young side brilliantly in South Africa.

14. Maicon

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MILAN, ITALY - OCTOBER 20: Maicon of FC Internazionale Milano in action during the UEFA Champions League group A match between FC Internazionale Milano and Tottenham Hotspur at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on October 20, 2010 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudi

Another of Mourinho's Champions League winners.

15. Lionel Messi

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ZARAGOZA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 23: Lionel Mesi of Barcelona runs with the ball during the La Liga match between Real Zaragoza and Barcelona at La Romareda on October 23, 2010 in Zaragoza, Spain. Barcelona won the match 2-0. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Genius Barcelona playmaker who failed to set the world alight in South Africa.

16. Thomas Mueller

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MUNICH, GERMANY - AUGUST 20: Thomas Mueller of Bayern is tackled by Josue of Wolfsburg during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and VfL Wolfsburg at Allianz Arena on August 20, 2010 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Image

Rampaging German winger who starred at the World Cup.

17. Mesut Ozil

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MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 23: Mesut Ozil of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring Real's 6th goal during the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Racing Santander at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 23, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Get

Diminutive German maestro who earned a move to Real Madrid on the back of a superb World Cup.

18. Carles Puyol

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BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 16: Carles Puyol of Barcelona looks on during the La Liga match between Barcelona and Valencia at the Camp Nou stadium on October 16, 2010 in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona won the match 2-1. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Lion-hearted Barcelona and Spain defender who got his hands on the World Cup.

19. Arjen Robben

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JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 11: Arjen Robben of the Netherlands reacts to a missed chance during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Final match between Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City Stadium on July 11, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Dutch wing wizard who drove his team within a whisker of the ultimate prize.

20. Bastian Schweinsteiger

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MUNICH, GERMANY - AUGUST 20: Bastian Schweinsteiger of Bayern runs with the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and VfL Wolfsburg at Allianz Arena on August 20, 2010 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Germany's barnstorming midfielder is wanted by just about every club on the planet.

21. Wesley Sneijder

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JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 11: Sergio Busquets of Spain and Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands battle for the ball during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Final match between Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City Stadium on July 11, 2010 in Joha

The complete midfielder who almost claimed a remarkable Champions League and World Cup double.

22. David Villa

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ZARAGOZA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 23: David Villa of Barcelona looks on during the La Liga match between Real Zaragoza and Barcelona at La Romareda on October 23, 2010 in Zaragoza, Spain. Barcelona won the match 2-0. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Who needs Fernando Torres when you've got David Villa? Not Spain clearly.

23. Xavi

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BILBAO, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 25: Xavi Hernandez of Barcelona passes the ball during the La Liga match between Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona at the San Mames Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Bilbao, Spain. Barcelona won the match 3-1. (Photo by Jasper Juine

The man who makes tici taci tick.