Three of the list of 15 forwards on the shortlist will be chosen at the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala which will be held on Monday 7 January 2013.
This news comes in the same week that David Silva and Yaya Toure were named on the FIFPro midfielders shortlist, Vincent Kompany was recognised with a place on the defenders list and Joe Hart was one of only five goalkeepers put forward for the accolade.
Mario’s is the only new name from 2011’s forwards list and has been rewarded for an inspired Euro 2012 showing for Italy where he tied with Fernando Torres for the Golden Boot with three goals, including two in the semi-final against Germany.
As we told you last week, Sergio is officially one of the deadliest strikers in Premier League history, despite only landing on these shores 18 months ago.
He became City’s first 30 goal striker in a decade last season and has started this season in similarly prolific style, with 11 goals for club and country so far.
Considering that the forwards list contains the names of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who are joined by Andres Iniesta in the three-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or itself, perhaps there will only be one space realistically up for grabs in the XI for the remaining 13.
We’ll let you know how Sergio and Mario get on in January here on mcfc.co.uk.
Full list
Sergio Aguero (Argentina, Manchester City)
Mario Balotelli (Italy, Manchester City)
Karim Benzema (France, Real Madrid)
Edinson Cavani (Uruguay, AS Napoli)
Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast, Shanghai Shenhua)
Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon, Anzhi Makhachkala)
Radamel Falcao (Colombia, Atletico Madrid)
Mario Gomez (Germany, Bayern Munich)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden, Paris Saint-Germain)
Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona)
Neymar (Brazil, Santos)
Robin van Persie (The Netherlands, Manchester United)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid)
Wayne Rooney (England, Manchester United)
Luis Suarez (Uruguay, Liverpool)
