Gareth Bale short-listed for FIFA World Footballer of the Year award

New Real Madrid player Gareth Bale has reportedly been short-listed in the 23-man list for FIFA men's World Footballer of the Year award.

The Welsh forward, who came to Real from Tottenham Hotspur in a world-record deal worth 85 million pounds, scored 26 goals for his former club last season.

According to the BBC, along with Bale, five other Premier League players including Eden Hazard, Mesut Ozil, Luis Suarez, Yaya Toure and Robin van Persie have also been nominated for the Ballon d'Or, which has replaced the World Footballer of the Year after 2010.

The report mentioned that among other players from England and Wales, Manchester United ace Wayne Rooney has been nominated for the award thrice in 2009, 2011 and 2012, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard nominated twice in 2008 and 2009, while John Terry and Ryan Giggs were nominated in 2009.

Meanwhile, Barcelona's Lionel Messi will be looking to retain the award he has won for four years running as he has nominated for the award again this time along with his teammates Andres Iniesta, Neymar and Xavi, adding that Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is also in the short-list, the report added.