Rooney the lone Englishman in battle with Messi and co for coveted FIFA gong

Wayne Rooney is the only Englishman on the provisional list for the FIFA Balon D’or award.

While world football’s governing body will not officially release the list until November 1, the Manchester United striker is the lone Englishman according to Spanish daily Mundo Deportivo.

Lone striker: Manchester United star Wayne Rooney is the only Englishman in contention for FIFA's coveted Balon D'or award

His United team-mate Javier Hernandez is also listed along with Manchester City’s David Silva and Sergio Aguero plus Liverpool’s Luis Suarez.

Inevitably, European champions Barcelona dominate the list with nine candidates: current holder Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres iniesta, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Cesc Fabregas, David Villa, Dani Alves and Eric Abidal.

City slicker: David Silva

Red alert: Luis Suarez

Up for it: Sergio Aguero

Real Madrid have Cristiano Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso, Iker Casillas, Mesut Ozi and Sami Khedira.

The Bayern Munich five of Thomas Mueller, Phillip Lahm, Sebastien Schweinsteiger, Mario Gomez and Franck Ribery, plus ex-Bayern striker Miroslav Klose, now at Lazio, are also there.

Holding on: Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is hoping to retain the FIFA Balon D'or award his landed last year

Like England, Italy have only one representative in Udinese's talisman Antonio de Natale.

The final three, chosen by national coaches and captains, will be announced on Decemebr 5 with the winner presented with the award at a glitzy gala dinner in Zurich on January 9.