GENEVA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina's Lionel Messi were nominated on Monday for the FIFA World Player of the Year title.

    Brazil's Kaka, the 2007 winner, and Spanish pair Andres Iniesta and Xavi completed the shortlist for the title which will be awarded by soccer's governing body FIFA on Dec. 21.

    All five nominees play for Spanish clubs -- Ronaldo and Kaka for Real Madrid and Xavi, Messi and Iniesta for Barcelona. They have emerged from an initial 23-strong shortlist.

    The winner will be chosen by national team coaches and captains, who cannot vote for players from their own country.