The 2009 Ballon D’Or shortlist has been cut down to just ten names and Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi remains the red-hot favourite to land the prestigious award.

A list of 30 names was cut to just ten as top soccer journalists prepare to cast their vote for the 2009 Ballon d’Or winner on Tuesday.

Amongst the star-studded names contained in the list includes current holder and FIFA World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as Chelsea striker Didier Drogba and Barcelona trio Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Andres Iniesta and Xavi.

Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto’o is the only Serie A representative in the ten, whilst Liverpool’s Fernando Torres, Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard and Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas all failed to make the cut.

Manchester United's hat-trick hero Wayne Rooney is also included in the final ten as is Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard.

The overwhelming favourite however is Barcelona striker Lionel Messi.

The Argentine netted a staggering 38 goals and contributed 16 assists in just 51 appearances as Barca swept all before them to claim an unprecedented treble last season. Few will bet against the 22-year-old adding the Ballon d’Or to the Onze d’Or trophy he picked up earlier in the month.

The final ten is as follows:

Didier Drogba (Chelsea)

Samuel Eto'o (Inter Milan)

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Barcelona)

Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)

Kaka (Real Madrid)

Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

Xavi (Barcelona)

England, Premiership, Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal

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comments (7)

2009-12-01 - Added by Rollyz
Supporter of Arsenal

Jam Boy do everyone on ExtraFootie a favour and stop quibbling on petty things - your boring mate...go and have a lie down 'MR Know-it-all'

Anyway, Messi 38 goals 16 assists, dont you just love him...fully deserved.

Surprise Gerrard was only 10th, but Credit to Eto'o, fourth I think. Rooney 8th is also good

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2009-12-01 - Added by JamDav1982
Supporter of Newcastle

Messi

Messi got 17 ASSISTS FACT!!!
I can guarantee anyone saying he got 16 is basing this on ESPN soccer stats which says he got 0 in Copa del Rey. However anyone who watched this games will have seen him set up Bojan in the final. This doesnt get counted unless ESPN count it obviously.

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2009-12-01 - Added by Bobbankblue
Supporter of Cardiff

Messi

Glad this one's been cleared up. It's been giving me sleepless nights ever since Jam Dav pointed it out.

Cheers Panner.

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2009-11-30 - Added by Panner1
Supporter of Man Utd

Lionel Messi stats

Having checked and double check it appears that Lionel Messi did indeed score 38 goals and contributed 16 assists in Barcelona's treble winning season...

La Liga - 31 games - 23 goals - 11 assists

Copa del Rey - 8 games - 6 goals - 0 assists

Champions League - 12 games - 9 goals - 5 assists

And then he played eight World Cup qualifiers - scoring two goals and getting two assists!

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2009-11-30 - Added by maikeulrsca
Supporter of Liverpool

i hope

messi will be the winner :):)

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2009-11-30 - Added by Rollyz
Supporter of Arsenal

What an idiot you are!!!

So this is how you laud your 'football knowledge'???!!! By picking out Messi had 17 assists as opposed to 16!!!

What an idiot and there was you slating ME for being the biggest mug on ExtraFootie - your rather well-spotted Fact that Messi got 17 assits as opposed to 16 assisits makes you sound and look like a rite numty

Jam Boy - so how many corners did Messi take???!!! Jam Boy

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2009-11-29 - Added by JamDav1982
Supporter of Newcastle

Messi

Its been quoted on here a few times that Messi got 38 goals and 16 assists in 51 games last season. In actual fact he got 38 goals and 17 assists.

Small difference but I feel it needs correcting!

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