Star trio vie for FIFA world award

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ZURICH, Switzerland -- Italian World Cup-winning skipper Fabio Cannavaro, Brazilian ace Ronaldinho and former French captain Zinedine Zidane have been shortlisted for the prestigious FIFA world player of the year award.

The trio were chosen from a preliminary list of 30 which was whittled down after voting by coaches and captains of national teams.

It will be a chance for Cannavaro to add to the Ballon d'Or, European footballer of the year award when the result is announced at a gala in Zurich on December 18.

Zidane inspired France to the World Cup final but blotted his copybook in the showdown against Cannavaro's Italy when he was sent off for his infamous headbutt on Marco Materazzi in extra-time.

Zidane, a three-time winner of the world player of the year award, retired from football after the final which Italy won on penalties.

Last year's winner Ronaldinho produced glittering displays in helping club side Barcelona to a Primera Liga/Champions League double, but failed to display his best form as Brazil went out in the quarterfinals of the World Cup.

The shortlist for women's world player of the year consists of Brazilian Marta, veteran American Kristine Lilly and Germany's Renate Lingor.

Awards will also also be made to the top three players during the World Cup (Zidane, Cannavaro and Andrea Pirlo), the competition's three top scorers (Miroslav Klose, Hernan Crespo and Ronaldo) and the top goalkeeper (Gianluigi Buffon).

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