World record signing Gareth Bale is on the 23-man shortlist for the Fifa men's world footballer of the year award.

Wales forward Bale, 24, scored 26 goals for Tottenham last season before an £85m move to Real Madrid in the summer.

Five Premier League players in Eden Hazard, Mesut Ozil, Luis Suarez, Yaya Toure and Robin van Persie have also been nominated for the Ballon d'Or.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi will be looking to retain the award he has won for four years running.

Messi's club team-mates Andres Iniesta, Neymar, who moved to the Nou Camp from Santos in the summer, and Xavi also make the shortlist, as does Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid.

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney made the shortlist last year but has failed to do so this time, with no player from England, Scotland or Northern Ireland represented in the final 23.



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