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FIFPro and FIFA have announced the 15 midfielders shortlist for the FIFA/FIFPro World XI 2012, out of which three midfielders will be selected for the final team. The 55-player final shortlist is yet to be revealed, and is more likely to be announced during the Fifa Ballon d’Or Gala on 7 January 2013.
The list is dominated by Real Madrid and Barcelona players, and six Spanish players have been nominted this year. Iniesta, Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Sergio Busquets, Cesc Fabregas and David Silva.
The fifteen midfielders who have received the most votes from all the professional football players in the world are:
Xabi Alonso (Spain and Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Spain and FC Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Spain and FC Barcelona), Steven Gerrard (England and Liverpool), Eden Hazard (Belgium and Chelsea), Andres Iniesta (Spain and FC Barcelona), Frank Lampard (England and Chelsea), Luka Modric (Croatia and Real Madrid), Mesut Ozil (Germany and Real Madrid), Andrea Pirlo (Italy and Juventus), Franck Ribery (France and Bayern Munich), David Silva (Spain and Manchester City), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany and Bayern Munich), Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast and Manchester City), Xavi Hernandez (Spain and FC Barcelona)
