The FIFpro World XI for 2015 has been named.
The team is voted for by professional footballers all over the world, and the XI were given their awards at tonight’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in Zurich Switzerland.
Here’s the team:
Manuel Neuer, the Bayern Munich and Germany goalkeeper, unsurprisingly makes it.
Barcelona’s Dani Alves, Thiago Silva of PSG and Real Madrid pair Marcelo and Thiago Silva complete the defence.
In midfield, Andreas Iniesta, of Bacelona, Madrid’s Luca Modric and Paul Pogba of Juventus is the only Serie A player included.
Up front, the three finalists for the Ballon d’Or award, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar, were voted in.
According to FIFpro, the professional footballer’s union, the team was compiled after 26,000 votes were cast.
JUST IN – The #WorldXI 2015, voted for by 26,478 pro players, looking dapper on stage at the #BallondOr in Zurich. pic.twitter.com/ayMJ8cSuGc
— FIFPRO (@FIFPRO) January 11, 2016
However, that didn’t stop some questioning the validity of some of the inclusions.
Really not sure how four Real Madrid players are in the FIFPro Best XI. Presume it was just their turn.
— James Tyler (still) (@JamesTylerESPN) January 11, 2016
Ramos, Pogba, Modric and Marcelo should not be in that team. It's done on popularity not ability.
— Fields of Anfield Road 🇵🇸 (@FOAnfieldRoad) January 11, 2016
Jerome Boateng has been superb for Bayern, so him instead of Thiago. Alaba instead of Marcelo, Carlos Sanchez instead of Modric. Simple game
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) January 11, 2016
Barcelona trophies last year – 5
Real Madrid trophies last year – 0Barcelona players in TOTY – 4
Real Madrid players in TOTY – 4#FIFA— Fields of Anfield Road 🇵🇸 (@FOAnfieldRoad) January 11, 2016
https://twitter.com/Footy_Jokes/status/686607633617321984
How did so many Real players get into this? They won nowt.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) January 11, 2016
Sorry but.. Marcelo AND Ramos?
— Arsène's Son 🎈 (@hughwizzy) January 11, 2016
https://twitter.com/DareToMoe__/status/686610185243226113
I know it’s nonsense & doesn’t matter, but how is Alaba not in the World XI ahead of Marcelo at left back?
— Adrian Clarke (@adrianjclarke) January 11, 2016
Sergio Ramos selected for the World XI because he manipulation of Manchester United and Real Madrid to get his €10m renewal was splendid.
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) January 11, 2016
Fifa/FIFPro World XI: Neuer; Alves, Ramos, Thiago Silva, Marcelo; Iniesta, Modric, Pogba; Messi, Neymar, Ronaldo.
No Alaba?
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) January 11, 2016
https://twitter.com/Meddy2k/status/686603183356035072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
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