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PARIS, FRANCE - Manchester United's impressive Champions League and Premier League triumph last season has earned four players nominations for the European Footballer of the Year award, organisers announced Sunday.
Wayne Rooney, Nemanja Vidic, Cristiano Ronaldo and keeper Edwin Van Der Sar all made the shortlist for the Ballon d'Or, with United's Champions League final rivals Chelsea earning three nominations in Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba.
The Ballon d'Or shortlist is compiled by France Football magazine and is based on nominations from football writers around the globe.
Spain, who won Euro 2008, is the best represented country with seven players, including Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.
Torres, who scored Spain's winner in the final against Germany, told sports daily L'Equipe: "Winning the Ballon d'Or would be like scaling Mount Everest."
France's top league goalscorer Karim Benzema and German player of the year Franck Ribery made the final list, but there was no place for Thierry Henry - the first time he has been omitted since 2000.
Last year's winner Brazilian Kaka also made the list, with this year's winner to be announced on December 2.
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