A number of Premier League based players have made the shortlist for this year's much coveted Ballon d'Or award.

The award, which is otherwise known as the European footballer of the year is now in it's 54th year, and was first won by Blackpool's very own Sir Stanley Matthews in it's inaugural year.

There have been a number of British or British based players who have scooped the accolade over the years, including the likes of George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton.

In more recent years England international Michael Owen has picked up the gong (2001), and last year Cristiano Ronaldo lifted the trophy.

Among the nominees this time out are Manchester United trio Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic as well as Chelsea's John Terry and Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas.

See the full list below:

Andreï Arshavin (Russia, Arsenal)

Karim Benzema (France, Lyon/Real Madrid)

Iker Casillas (Spain, Real Madrid)

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Manchester United/Real Madrid)

Diego (Brazil, Werder Brême/Juventus Turin)

Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast, Chelsea)

Edin Dzeko (Bosnia, Wolfsburg)

Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon, FC Barcelona/Inter Milan)

Cesc Fabregas (Spain, Arsenal)

Fernando Torres (Spain, Liverpool)

Diego Forlan (Uruguay, Atletico Madrid)

Steven Gerrard (England, Liverpool)

Ryan Giggs (Wales, Manchester United)

Yoann Gourcuff (France, Bordeaux)

Thierry Henry (France, FC Barcelona)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden, Inter Milan/FC Barcelona)

Iniesta (Spain, FC Barcelona)

Julio Cesar (Brazil, Inter Milan)

Kakà (Brazil, Milan AC/Real Madrid)

Frank Lampard (England, Chelsea)

Maicon (Brazil, Inter Milan)

Lionel Messi (Argentina, FC Barcelona)

Luis Fabiano (Brazil, FC Séville)

Franck Ribéry (France, Bayern Munich)

Wayne Rooney (England, Manchester United)

John Terry (England, Chelsea)

Nemanja Vidic (Serbia, Manchester United)

David Villa (Spain, Valence)

Xavi (Spain, FC Barcelona)

Yaya Touré (Ivory Coast, FC Barcelona)