20 defenders shortlisted for FIFA FIFPro World XI 2013

Bayern Munich have four representatives in the shortlist for defender of the year led by captain Philip Lahm and Dante

FIFPro, the worldwide players’ union, and FIFA yesterday announced the 20 defenders shortlisted for the FIFA FIFPro World XI 2013 as part of the final 55-player shortlist to be revealed on December 9, 2013.

Two days after the unveiling of the five goalkeepers who made the shortlist, the 20 defenders are now known and will be followed by the 15 midfielders and 15 forwards due to be announced and published on FIFA.com in the coming days.

The defender shortlist includes David Alaba (Austria, FC Bayern München); Jordi Alba (Spain, FC Barcelona); Dani Alves (Brazil, FC Barcelona); Leighton Baines (England, Everton FC); Jérôme Boateng (Germany, FC Bayern München); Ashley Cole (England, Chelsea FC); Dante (Brazil, FC Bayern München); Mats Hummels (Germany, Borussia Dortmund); Branislav Ivanovic (Serbia, Chelsea FC); Philipp Lahm (Germany, FC Bayern München); David Luiz (Brazil, Chelsea FC); Vincent Kompany (Belgium, Manchester City FC); Marcelo (Brazil, Real Madrid CF); Pepe (Portugal, Real Madrid CF); Gerard Piqué (Spain, FC Barcelona); Sergio Ramos (Spain, Real Madrid CF ); Thiago Silva (Brazil, Paris St-Germain FC); Raphaël Varane (France, Real Madrid CF); Nemanja Vidic (Serbia, Manchester United FC); Pablo Zabaleta (Argentina, Manchester City FC).

The 50,000 professional footballers belonging to the players’ unions across the world that form FIFPro received voting forms to nominate their peers in a secret ballot for inclusion in their World XI – choosing the best goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards of 2013.

The nominees for the following awards will be announced live on FIFA.com, francefootball.fr and YouTube at 2pm (CET) on December 9: FIFA Ballon d’Or, FIFA’s Women’s World Player of the Year, FIFA World Coaches of the Year for Men’s and Women’s Football, FIFA/FIFPro World XI, and the FIFA Puskás Award. Be online when the nominees are unveiled – you will be able to comment on all the action and lists! The best tweets and Facebook posts will be featured, background information on the FIFA Ballon d’Or will be provided live and surprise videos will be disclosed on the FIFA Live Blog.

The final FIFA FIFPro World XI will then be announced at the FIFA Ballon d’Or award ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich on January 13, 2014. During the televised ceremony, the winner of the FIFA Ballon d’Or for the best player of 2013 and the winner of the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year 2013 award will also be revealed and the FIFA World Coach of the Year awards for men’s and women’s football will be presented for the fourth time. The FIFA Puskás Award for the best goal of the year, the FIFA Presidential Award and the FIFA Fair Play Award will also be presented during the FIFA Ballon d’Or award ceremony.