Iniesta, Xavi, Pirlo nominated for FIFPro World XI

Xavi (left) and Andres Iniesta have led to Barcelona to a three-point lead over Atletico Madrid in La Liga.

Alvaro Barrientos/AP

ZURICH (AP) -- Spain has six midfielders from its European Championship-winning team competing for selection in a FIFPro World XI.

FIFA says Barcelona quartet Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Busquets, plus Xabi Alonso of Real Madrid and Manchester City's David Silva are among 15 candidates for three midfield places.

Italy playmaker Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), and German pair Mesut Oezil (Madrid) and Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich) are also nominated.

England has Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) and Frank Lampard (Chelsea). Lampard's Belgian teammate, Eden Hazard, is included.

The other nominees are: Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast, Man City), Luka Modric (Croatia, Madrid) and Franck Ribery (France, Bayern).

The FIFPro World XI, chosen by 50,000 members of the global players' union, will be announced Jan. 7 at the FIFA Ballon D'Or gala in Zurich.

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