While Rooney is the only Englishman, there are four other players on the list that ply their trade in the Premier League, namely Robin van Persie, Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli.
The shortlist will be narrowed down to three on 29 November, with Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid the favourites to top the list.
Shortlist in full:
Sergio Aguero (Man City), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Mario Balotelli (Man City), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Didier Drogba (Chelsea/Shanghai Shenhua), Radamel Falcao (Atletico Madrid), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Milan/PSG), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Manuel Neuer (Bayern), Neymar (Santos) Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Wayne Rooney (Man Utd), Yaya Toure (Man City), Robin van Persie (Arsenal/Man Utd) Xavi (Barcelona).