( CNN ) -- Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has been included on the shortlist for the FIFA World Player of the Year award . The 2008 winner is one of five contenders for the honor alongside Real Madrid team-mate Kaka and Barcelona trio Andres Iniesta , Lionel Messi and Xavi . Ronaldo transferred from Manchester United to the Bernabeu for a world record fee in the region of $ 130 million in July , while Brazil playmaker Kaka joined from AC Milan in the summer . Argentina 's Messi and Spain midfield duo Iniesta and Xavi were at the forefront of Barcelona 's treble-winning success , which saw the Catalan club claim the Champions League , the Primera Division title and the Copa del Rey . Messi is favorite to land the gong after recently winning the Ballon d'Or award for the European Player of the Year . The nominees were confirmed following a poll of national teams ' captains and coaches from a list drawn up of FIFA Football Committee experts . The winnerswill be announced at the FIFA World Player Gala on December 21 in Zurich , Switzerland . Also at the gala the best 11 players of the year , as chosen by over 50,000 professional players from all over the world , will be honored in the FIFA/FIFPro World XI -- while the FIFA Puskas Award will be presented to the player who has scored the 'most beautiful goal ' during the past year .
the Year winner Cristiano Ronaldo is included in the nominations for FIFA World Player of the Year . The Real Madrid forward five of one players on the shortlist , all with either Madrid or Madrid . Lionel Messi is favorite to land the gong after recently winning the Ballon d'Or award for European Player of 2008 .