C.Ronaldo up for top European prize

Five England players have been shortlisted for the prestigious European Footballer of the Year award.

England captain John Terry and team-mates Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole are in the running for the Ballon d'or. Seventeen of the 50 nominations play in the Premiership including Chelsea stars Terry, Lampard, Cole, Michael Ballack, Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Claude Makelele and Andriy Shevchenko.

Cesc Fabregas, William Gallas, Jens Lehmann and Thierry Henry represent beaten Champions League finalists Arsenal, while Cristiano Ronaldo joins Rooney as Manchester United's only other nominee.

Everton and Australia midfielder Tim Cahill has also been shortlisted for the prestigious award along with retired former France captain Zinedine Zidane. The winner will be revealed on November 27.Last year Barcelona's brilliant Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho was crowned European Footballer of the Year.

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