Twenty defenders shortlisted for FIFA/FIFPro World XI

Diego Godin and Sergio Ramos will be the leading contenders to make it to the World XI

FIFA, The World Players Union and FIFPro have announced the defenders shortlist for FIFA/FIFPro World XI of 2014. The final 55-man shortlist will be announced on December 1^st, 2014. So far, the names of 20 defenders and five goalkeepers have been declared.

Surprisingly, two out of the four defenders, David Luiz and Marcelo, who were part of Brazil’s 7-1 hammering at the hands of Germany in the World cup semi-finals earlier this year have been included in the shortlist.

Only 3 defenders from the English Premier League have been included and the list largely comprises of players who are part of the Spanish La Liga and the German Bundesliga.

The FIFA/FIFPro World XI is a combined XI consisting of one goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards who performed admirably in that particular calendar year. The team is picked through a voting system from thousands of footballers from across the globe.

Interesting to note is the fact that Javier Mascherano has been selected as part of the defenders list, although he is a midfielder naturally. His role with Barcelona sees him playing as a centre-back while he plays as a defensive midfielder for Argentina.

The 20-defender shortlist has been unveiled for the FIFA FIFPro World XI – http://t.co/NglIeQguec pic.twitter.com/7ALjsubD5X

— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) November 26, 2014

Player (home country, current club)David Alaba (Austria, FC Bayern Munich)Jordi Alba (Spain, FC Barcelona)Daniel Alves (Brazil, FC Barcelona)Jérôme Boateng (Germany, FC Bayern Munich)Daniel Carvajal (Spain, Real Madrid)David Luiz (Brazil, Paris Saint-Germain)Filipe Luis (Brazil, Chelsea)Diego Godín (Uruguay, Atletico Madrid)Mats Hummels (Germany, Borussia Dortmund)Branislav Ivanovic (Serbia, Chelsea)Vincent Kompany (Belgium, Manchester City)Philipp Lahm (Germany, Bayern Munich)Marcelo (Brazil, Real Madrid)Javier Mascherano (Argentina, FC Barcelona)Pepe (Portugal, Real Madrid)Gerard Piqué (Spain, FC Barcelona)Sergio Ramos (Spain, Real Madrid)Thiago Silva (Brazil, Paris Saint-Germain)Raphaël Varane (France, Real Madrid)Pablo Zabaleta (Argentina, Manchester City)