England’s top players were snubbed when Argentina ace Lionel Messi was named European Footballer of the Year.
Despite three English clubs reaching the Champions League semi-finals last season, only two home-grown players made the top 10 of the prestigious Ballon d’Or, awarded by France Football magazine.

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney was the highest-placed Premier League player in eighth, with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard finishing 10th. Chelsea duo Frank Lampard (21st) and John Terry (26th) were the only other English players on the list, despite their impressive World Cup qualifying campaign under Fabio Capello.


A further six England-based players – Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres, Cesc Fabregas, Ryan Giggs, Nemanja Vidic and Andrey Arshavin – made the list, but the presence of 13 players currently playing in Spain’s La Liga highlighted the growing power shift between Europe’s top two domestic leagues.

Six of the top seven players on the list ply their trade in Spain with 2009 Champions League winners Barcelona boasting three of the top four – Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

Michael Owen was the last Englishman to win the award, in 2001, although Lampard finished second in 2005.