The naming of the FIFPro World XI kicked off The Best FIFA Awards on Monday, and there was a notable snub. Despite being named as one of the three finalists for The Best FIFA Men’s Player, Atlético Madrid star Antoine Griezmann was not named to the World XI, with Luis Suarez sneaking into the team ahead of him.
FIFA FIFPro World XI heavy on Barcelona and Real Madrid players, with 1 outsider crashing the party
Luis Suarez snuck in ahead of Antoine Griezmann, despite the latter being a finalist for world player of the year.
Photo by Jose Breton/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Only one player who did not spend part of 2016 with Real Madrid or Barcelona was selected for the team. That’s Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who now appears to be a near-permanent fixture in this team. Dani Alves is the only other World XI player not currently on one of Spain’s big two teams, after he made a move to Juventus in the summer.
This is the second consecutive season in which no player in the Premier League was named to the FIFPro World XI.
Here’s the FIFPro World XI for 2016.
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich/Germany)
Defender: Dani Alves (Juventus/Brazil)
Defender: Gerard Pique (Barcelona/Spain)
Defender: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid/Spain)
Defender: Marcelo (Real Madrid/Spain)
Midfielder: Luka Modric (Real Madrid/Croatia)
Midfielder: Toni Kroos (Real Madrid/Germany)
Midfielder: Andres Iniesta (Barcelona/Spain)
Forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona/Argentina)
Forward: Luis Suarez (Barcelona/Uruguay)
Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid/Portugal)
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