Six players from Bayern Munich's treble-winning team were included among the 23 nominees for the World Player of the Year award announced by FIFA yesterday in Zurich, Switzerland.

Joining the Bayern contingent were the usual favorites such as Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Jose Mourinho was included on the shortlist for Coach of the Year despite failing to win any major trophies with Real Madrid last season, a performance he described as “disastrous.”

The only British player to make the list was Wales international Gareth Bale.

Messi has won the last four awards, also known as the Ballon d'Or. Coaches, team captains and media vote for the winners.

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure was the only African to make either list. There were no representatives from Asia or CONCACAF.

German internationals Manuel Neuer, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Mueller and Philipp Lahm, Frenchman Franck Ribery and Dutchman Arjen Robben were the Bayern players on the list.

Bayern's former coach Jupp Heynckes, since replaced by Pep Guardiola, was on the coaches list after leading his side to a Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League treble.

The omission of Bayern's Croatian forward Mario Mandzukic was a surprise as many critics felt he had made the difference last season.

Radamel Falcao, Edinson Cavani, Luis Suarez, Neymar and Thiago Silva were also nominated.

The winners will be announced on January 13 in Zurich.

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