Fernando Torres is one of the three football players who appears among the 55 nominated to the first edition of the FIFPro World XI awards, which the International Federation of footballers association confers. Beside, the Madrilenian forward, Carlos Puyol and Cesc Fabregas complete the list of national players that aspire to this award.

The people selected have been designed by 43.000 professional players that belong to the 40 professional organizations of FIFPro, whom last summer received a formulary to pick his favourite eleven, with a goalkeeper, four defenses, three midfield players and three forwards.

Among the selected players, besides the presence of the three Spanish players, stands out the fact that almost all belong to the four great European Leagues, except Zé Roberto, that in summer left Bayern to go to Santos, and the retired Zidane.

That way, the ‘Premier League’, with 18 players, it is the most represented, followed closed up by Spain with 16 and A Serie with 15, whereas the Germany League contributes with four. Also, Italy and Brazil are the countries with more players at the nominated list, ten, followed by seven of France, six of England, four of Germany, Argentina and Portugal, three of Spain, two of Netherlands and the Czech Republic, and Ukraine, Mexico, Cameroon, Ivory Coast which contribute with one.

Among the selected goalkeepers stands out Buffon or Cech; the defenders Ayala, Cannavaro, Ferdinand, Nesta, Marquez, Terry or Zambrotta; the midfield players, Ballack, Deco, Kaka, Lampard, Riquelme, Totti or Pirlo; and among the forwards, Crespo, Drogba, Eto’o, Henry, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Rooney or Shevchenko.


Photo: Jose Antonio Garcia Sirvent