Kaka and other AC Milan players lead World Player shortlist

Kaka is joined by Milan players Gennaro Gattuso, Alessandro Nesta and Andrea Pirlo among the 30 players on the list released by football's ruling body.

 Italy have two more players shortlisted, the 2006 World Player Fabio Cannavaro from Real Madrid and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

 The 2007 World Player will be elected by national team captains and coaches, with the final three announced in early December and the winner revealed at the 17th World Player Gala in Zurich on December 17. The shortlist was drawn up by FIFA experts.

 Other prominent players on the list include Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, fellow-Englishmen Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Frank Lampard and John Terry (both Chelsea), former World Player Ronaldinho and his Barcelona team-mates Thierry Henry, Deco, Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi.

 The 26 players on the women's list are led by 2006 World Player Marta of Brazil and also include former winner Birgit Prinz and team-mates Nadine Angerer, Ariane Hingst, Renate Lingor and Kerstin Stegemann from freshly-crowned two-time World Cup winners Germany.

DPA