Rooney shortlisted for Ballon d'Or, Ferguson for FIFA's top coach award

London, Nov 2(ANI): England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is among the 23-man shortlist for FIFA's prestigious Ballon d'Or award.

Rooney is joined in the running for the award by United teammate Nani, who had scooped the Player of the Year honours at Old Trafford in May.

Along with Rooney and Nani, the English Premier League is also represented by Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero and Liverpool's Luis Suarez, the Sun reports.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi, who has lifted the Ballon d'Or for the last two years, is one of the favourites to win the award once again.

Meanwhile, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, along with Chelsea counterpart Andre Villas-Boas and Arsenal's Arsene Wenger, has been nominated in FIFA's Coach of the Year category.

Player nominees: Eric Abidal (France), Sergio Aguero (Argentina), Karim Benzema (France), Iker Casillas (Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Dani Alves (Brazil), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon), Cesc Fabregas (Spain), Diego Forlan (Uruguay), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Thomas Muller (Germany), Nani (Portugal), Neymar (Brazil), Mesut Ozil (Germany), Gerard Pique (Spain), Wayne Rooney (England), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands), Luis Suarez (Uruguay), David Villa (Spain), Xabi Alonso (Spain) and Xavi (Spain).

Coach nominees: Vicente Del Bosque (Spain/Spain national team), Alex Ferguson (Scotland/Manchester United FC), Rudi Garcia (France/Lille OSC), Pep Guardiola (Spain/FC Barcelona), Jurgen Klopp (Germany/Borussia Dortmund), Joachim Low (Germany/Germany national team), Jose Mourinho (Portugal/Real Madrid), Oscar Tabarez (Uruguay/Uruguay national team), Andre Villas-Boas (Portugal/FC Porto, Chelsea) and Arsene Wenger (France/Arsenal). (ANI)