Zidane in frame for FifPro award.

Former France captain and Real Madrid player Zinedine Zidane is in the running for the 2006 FifPro Player of the Year award.

The former Real Madrid star bowed out of football in shame with a red card in the World Cup final for a headbutt on Italy defender Marco Materazzi.

Materazzi is also on the list of 55 nominations, along with last year's winner, Brazilian Ronaldinho.

The Premiership has 18 players in the frame for the award which will be announced on 6 November in Athens.

Chelsea are the best represented club in the list with nine players, including recent recruits Ashley Cole, Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko.

In terms of nationalities, world champions Italy have 10 nominated players along with Brazil, while England number six internationals.

Cole and his Blues team-mates John Terry and Frank Lampard are joined on the list by Manchester United duo Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney - who took last year's young player award - and Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard.

As well as the individual award, ballot forms were sent to 43,000 players asking them to pick a world XI for the event, which has been organised by the international players' union.

Except him more Real Madrid player is also in the shortlist. They are-

Fabio Cannavaro (Italy), Roberto Carlos (Brazil), Cicinho (Brazil), Ronaldo (Brazil).

Some former Real Madrid player is also among the list. they are-

Luis Figo (Portugal), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon), Claude Makalele (France).