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A 23-man shortlist for the FIFA FIFPro World XI was announced on Tuesday. Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski are featuring in the hypothetical XI.
For the first time in 17 years, a 23-man shortlist was announced by the FIFPro from 55 players who contested for the award in the previous editions. That was done so that the shortlist resembles an actual squad.
Three goalkeepers, six defenders and midfielders apiece and eight forwards are in the race for the place in the World XI. The same will be announced during the Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony in Zurich on January 17.
Cristiano Ronaldo has made an appearance on the shortlist in every edition of the FIFPro World XI
Cristiano Ronaldo won the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana with Juventus in 2021. He returned to Manchester United this summer. He is one of the eight forwards on the shortlist.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has featured in the shortlist for the FIFPro World XI in every single edition since its inception in 2005. However, he had to wait till 2007 to make his first appearance in the World XI. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi was first shortlisted for the award in 2006; he also made his debut in the FIFPro World XI in 2007.
This one-of-a-kind World XI counts on the votes from professional players all across the globe. So securing a place in this special XI is a matter of pride for any player.
With the announcement of the FIFPro World XI roughly a month away, we take a look at the five players with the most appearances in the World XI over the years:
#5 Dani Alves - 8 appearances
It seems Dani Alves has come full circle. He returned this summer to Barcelona. That's where he attained legendary status, thanks to his exploits on the pitch and the sheer amount of silverware he won with them.
The Brazilian right-back made his second debut for the club in Tuesday's Maradona Cup, earned plaudits for his solid display.
Alves has enjoyed a trophy-laden career. He is the most decorated player in the history of the sport, with 43 major titles with club and country. So, it is no wonder that he has been voted eight times to the FIFPro World XI.
All but two of his appearances came during his spell with Barcelona, with his last appearance coming in 2018. Despite a nomination this year, it is unlikely he will feature in the FIFPro World XI this time around.
#4 Andres Iniesta - 9 appearances
Another Barcelona icon, Andres Iniesta, features on this list. Barcelona and Spain, the two teams Iniesta largely represented, became dominant forces, thanks to his impressive exploits. That includes Iniesta's winner against the Netherlands in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final.
He was one of the best players in the world during the 2010s. That ensured nine back-to-back appearances in the FIFPro World XI for the midfielder, between 2009 and 2017.
Iniesta was a key player in Vissel Kobe's J1 League 2021 campaign. He ensured the club's best-ever league finish as they secured third place in the league standings with 73 points.
#3 Sergio Ramos - 11 appearances
A born leader, Sergio Ramos has more appearances in the FIFPro World XI than any other defender. Ten of his 11 appearances came between 2011 and 2020, while he made his first appearance in the World XI in 2008.
The former Real Madrid star struggled with fitness issues this year. Because of that and a trophyless 2020-21 campaign with the La Liga giants, he missed out on the 23-man shortlist. That makes Ramos one of the biggest absentees from the FIFPro World XI this year.
Nonetheless, he will be happy knowing that a great spell with Real Madrid has seen him make more appearances in the FIFPro World XI than any other defender. He will hope to secure his nomination next year with a great outing with PSG, after regaining his fitness.
#2 Lionel Messi - 14 appearances
No player has made it to the FIFPro World XI more times than PSG superstar Lionel Messi. With 14 appearances in the hypothetical XI, he is tied with Cristiano Ronaldo for the honour.
Messi made his debut appearance in the 2007 edition of the ceremony. Since then, he has been voted one of the best forwards in the world in every single edition of the award.
Messi won his seventh Ballon d'Or award this year. So there's no doubt he is still one of the best players in the world. His insane goal-scoring rate and assists with Barcelona have helped him secure a place in the FIFPro World XI time and again.
Though he is slightly behind Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of goals for club and country, he leads the charts in all-time assists in football history. He has struggled in Ligue 1 this season, scoring only once in ten games. However, he should regain his mojo and end up with double-digit figures in goals and assists season this season too.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo - 14 appearances
Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Manchester United this season, and has delivered results with a series of clutch goals, especially in the Champions League. He is the club's leading goalscorer across all competitions this campaign.
The Portuguese forward tops the list with 14 appearances in the FIFPro World XI. He also holds the unique honour of being voted into the shortlist ever since the first edition in 2005.
He scored 29 goals in Serie A last season with Juventus, adding the top-scorer's award in a third major European league to his name. So it is very likely that his dominance should continue in the FIFPro World XI, and be on the stage yet again in January next year.
