The nominations for the 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year came out this morning and icons.com stars feature prominently. Lionel Messi would be are choice for the award, having helped Barcelona to win La Liga, El Copa del Rey and the Champions League whilst also leading Argentina to the World Cup finals, just.

The full list of 23 nominations is as follows, featuring seven icons.com players.

Michael Ballack (Germany), Chelsea

Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Juventus

Iker Casillas (Spain), Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Real Madrid

Diego (Brazil), Juventus

Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Chelsea

Michael Essien (Ghana), Chelsea

Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon), Inter Milan

Steven Gerrard (England), Liverpool

Thierry Henry (France), Barcelona

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden), Barcelona

Andres Iniesta (Spain), Barcelona

Kaka (Brazil), Real Madrid

Frank Lampard (England), Chelsea

Luis Fabiano (Brazil), Sevilla

Lionel Messi (Argentina), Barcelona

Carles Puyol (Spain), Barcelona

Franck Ribery (France), Bayern Munich

Wayne Rooney (England), Manchester United

John Terry (England), Chelsea

Fernando Torres (Spain), Liverpool

David Villa (Spain), Valencia

Xavi (Spain), Barcelona

The icons summer sale starts today and there's never been a better time to pick up a great deal on our superb football memorabilia.

We've knocked £50 off our Cristiano Ronaldo signed Champions League shirts and with Ronnie nearing the Old Trafford exit door this is likely to be the last time any Man Utd shirts are available from an official signing session. At only £149.99 they are likely to be a sound investment.

Also reduced from Ronaldo are signed action photographs of him celebrating his goal in the Champions League final - down from £99.99 to £79.99, a saving of 20%.

If you're after Chelsea memorabilia then Deco shirts at £39.99 are an incredible bargain, while Spurs fans can get 20% off Jimmy Greaves shirts at £79.99.

Keep checking back for the latest special offers.

It's good to see one Chelsea footballer using his fame for good, even if his team-mates seem determined to court publicity of a different kind. While Ashley Cole has been garnering more unwanted press with his recent arrest, Deco has been trying to draw attention to his charitable organisation, The Deco Institute.

The institute aims to help children in the Brazilian city near Sao Paolo where Deco grew up. “We really wanted to change something and if you want to do that, you have to start where you live,” he said in the Times. “All countries have social problems, but in Brazil they live in a place with many difficulties — they are offered drugs at 10, 11. This gives them the chance to be someone.”

Deco may have had a frustrating season with a series of niggling injuries, but as the season nears the business end, and with Chelsea still in contention in the Champions League and FA Cup, the stage is set for him to recapture the early season form that saw him make such an impact at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea memorabilia signed by Deco is available at the Icons shop, including the 2008-09 home shirt and 2008-09 away kit. If you prefer signed football photos then take a look at Deco's First Goal For Chelsea, or Deco In Action For Chelsea.

So Jose Mourinho reckons that Ryan Giggs is the greatest ever Premiership player, better than Thierry Henry, Alan Shearer and Eric Cantona.

The Special One should know a thing or two given the number of trophies he won with Chelsea and the way his Inter Milan side are running away with this year's Scuddeto.

But is he right? Here is Icons' top five Premiership players:

5. Steven Gerrard. They say that no player is bigger than the team. Have they not heard of Stevie G?
4. Frank Lampard. Still holds the record for an outfield player of 164 consecutive appearances. A phenomenon.
3. Eric Cantona. Turned Manchester United into the all-conquering force they are today.
2. Alan Shearer. 260 Premiership goals. Will anyone ever beat that?
1. Ryan Giggs. Well no-one ever won an argument with the Special One did they?

We've had our turn. Now it's yours...