The list of candidates to win the 2009 Ballon d'Or award has been reduced to 10 men, with Liverpool striker Fernando Torres and Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard the highest profile casualties from the original group of 30 players.
Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi is the overwhelming favourite for the award, with last year's winner Cristiano Ronaldo also featuring prominently, award organisers France Football magazine said on their website.
Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o, Steven Gerrard, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Andrés Iniesta, Kaká, Wayne Rooney and Xavi are the other players still in contention.
Torres, Lampard and Cesc Fábregas all failed to make the short list.
There were no Italian or German players on the original 30-man list. Now there is no French player remaining with Karim Benzema, Yoann Gourcuff and Franck Ribéry all dropped.
The result of the vote by soccer journalists to name the winner of the award formerly known as the European Footballer of the Year will be announced on Tuesday
Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi is the overwhelming favourite for the award, with last year's winner Cristiano Ronaldo also featuring prominently, award organisers France Football magazine said on their website.
Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o, Steven Gerrard, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Andrés Iniesta, Kaká, Wayne Rooney and Xavi are the other players still in contention.
Torres, Lampard and Cesc Fábregas all failed to make the short list.
There were no Italian or German players on the original 30-man list. Now there is no French player remaining with Karim Benzema, Yoann Gourcuff and Franck Ribéry all dropped.
The result of the vote by soccer journalists to name the winner of the award formerly known as the European Footballer of the Year will be announced on Tuesday
