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The FIFPRO Men’s and Women’s World11 have been confirmed at The Best FIFA Awards ceremony in Paris on Monday evening with Lionel Messi spearheading a glittering XI.
The Argentine superstar is no doubt the standout inclusion in the team after a stunning year in which he finally secured a World Cup winners’ medal. His performances both in Qatar and for club side Paris Saint-Germain see a more than deserved inclusion for the forward.
Despite finding himself on the losing side in Qatar, Messi’s club teammate and France star Kylian Mbappe earns himself a place for his sensational goalscoring exploits for Les Bleus and club side Paris Saint Germain. Another of the World Cup’s stars Achraf Hakimi is also named among the award recipients.
A vast array of Real Madrid’s Champions League winners have also done enough to secure a place in the side. Karim Benzema, Thibaut Courtois and Luka Modric all played a role in the Spanish giants securing their 14th European crown as well as yet another LaLiga title.
Former colleague Casemiro also secured himself a place in the side after also playing a crucial role – something that he will hope to continue with Manchester United. He is certainly off to a good start after helping the Red Devils’ to the Carabao Cup at Wembley Stadium.
There remains plenty of room for players from the Premier League. Liverpool ‘s Virgil van Dijk, whilst Manchester City trio Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland and the on-loan Joao Cancelo are also rewarded.
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Speaking after claiming his respective award, Dutch defender Van Dijk said: “I am grateful. This is the biggest recognition you can get because here you get voted by the players. They know what you go through, day in and day out.”
One surprise omission is Robert Lewandowski despite having been named as the Best FIFA Men’s player for the past two seasons. The Pole continued his electric form for Bayern Munich throughout the year ahead of a switch to the Camp Nou and has continued that goalscoring form at the Camp Nou.
On the women’s front, the side is dominated by a number of England stars that helped Sarina Wiegman’s side to the Euro 2022 title. Leah Williamson, Beth Mead, Lucy Bronze and Kiera Walsh all received awards for standout campaigns.
The likes of Wendie Renard, Alexia Putellas and Sam Kerr for their exhilarating displays.
Take a look at the full XIs below after the teams were confirmed:
FIFPRO Men’s World11: Thibaut Courtois; Achraf Hakimi, Joao Cancelo, Virgil van Dijk; Kevin De Bruyne, Luka Modric, Casemiro; Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema, Erling Haaland.
FIFPRO Women’s World11: Christiane Endler, Lucy Bronze, Maria Leon, Leah Williamson, Wendie Renard, Alexia Putellas, Kiera Walsh, Lena Oberdorf, Alex Morgan, Sam Kerr, Beth Mead.