Michael Essien has been shortlisted for FIFPro's World XI Player Awards. The worldwide players' union has announced a 55-man shortlist for its third annual awards, with the winners to be announced on October 5.

Three Africans are on the list and the English Premier League boasted the most nominees. Milan topped the list of clubs with nine players shortlisted, followed by Manchester United with eight.

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy/Juventus), Iker Casillas (Spain/Real Madrid), Petr Cech (Czech Republic/Chelsea), Dida (Brazil/Milan), Edwin van der Sar (Holland/Manchester Utd)

Defenders: Éric Abidal (France/Barcelona), Daniel Alves (Brazil/Sevilla), Roberto Ayala (Argentina/Valencia), Fabio Cannavaro (Italy/Real Madrid), Roberto Carlos (Brazil/ Fenerbahce), Jamie Carragher (England/Liverpool), Ricardo Carvalho (Portugal/Chelsea), Cristian Chivu (Romania/Inter), Ashley Cole (England/Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (England/Manchester Utd), Philipp Lahm (Germany/Bayern Munich), Lucio (Brazil/Bayern Munich), Paolo Maldini (Italy/Milan), Marco Materazzi (Italy/Inter), Alessandro Nesta (Italy/Milan), Carles Puyol (Spain/Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Spain/Real Madrid), John Terry (England/Chelsea), Nemanja Vidic (Serbia/Manchester Utd), Gianluca Zambrotta (Italy/Barcelona).

Midfielders: David Beckham (England/LA Galaxy), Deco (Portugal/Barcelona), Michael Essien (Ghana/Chelsea), Gennaro Gattuso (Italy/Milan), Steven Gerrard (England/Liverpool), Andrés Iniesta (Spain/Barcelona), Kaka (Brazil/Milan), Frank Lampard (England/Chelsea), Claude Makelele (France/Chelsea), Andrea Pirlo (Italy/Milan), Juan Román Riquelme (Argentina/Boca Juniors), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Manchester Utd), Paul Scholes (England/Manchester Utd), Clarence Seedorf (Holland/Milan), Xavi (Spain/Barcelona).

Forwards: Dimitar Berbatov (Bulgaria/Tottenham Hotspur), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast/Chelsea), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon/Barcelona), Thierry Henry (France/Barcelona), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden/Inter), Filippo Inzaghi (Italy/Milan), Lionel Messi (Argentina/Barcelona), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Holland/Real Madrid), Ronaldinho (Brazil/Barcelona), Ronaldo (Brazil/Milan), Wayne Rooney (England/Manchester Utd), Carlos Tevez (Argentina/Manchester Utd), Luca Toni (Italy/ Bayern Munich), Francesco Totti (Italy/Roma), David Villa (Spain/Valencia).