Announced candidates for the symbolic world team of the year © EuroFootball.com

The World Footballers' Union FIFPro and FIFA have announced a list of 55 footballers who are candidates to make it into the symbolic team of the year. FIFPro, which unites 50 thousand players, sent out questionnaires to its members and after voting will announce the best goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders, and three forwards. Among the candidates, the most footballers come from the reigning planet champion Spain - 10. One less - Brazil, 8 - Argentina, 6 - England. List: Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Petr Cech (Chelsea), Julio César (Inter), Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United). Defenders: Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur), Michel Bastos (Olympique Lyon), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munchen), Lucio (Inter), Maicon (Inter), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan), Pepe (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Walter Samuel (Inter), John Terry (Chelsea), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Javier Zanetti (Inter). Midfielders: Esteban Cambiasso (Inter), Michael Essien (Chelsea), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Kaká (Real Madrid), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid), Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Wesley Sneijder (Inter), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Xavi (Barcelona). Forwards: Dimitar Berbatov (Manchester United), Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Samuel Eto’o (Inter), Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (AC Milan), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Diego Milito (Inter), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Ronaldinho (AC Milan), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Carlos Tévez (Manchester City), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), David Villa (Barcelona).