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| The Best FIFA Football Awards - Show 2018 was a glorious occasion. Image Coutesy - FIFA.com |
The FIFPro World XI has caught the imagination of football fans worldwide since its inception in 2005. Initially known as FIFPro World XI, the award aims to award the team of the year based on votes from professional footballers around the world. Every player is asked to choose a team which consists of one goalkeeper, 4 defenders, 3 midfielders and 3 forwards.
Recently, the 55-men shortlist for the award for 2019 was released by FIFA, which included 5 goalkeepers, 20 defenders, 15 midfielders and 15 forwards. On 23rd September 2019, at the The Best FIFA Football Awards Show in Milan, the world will come to know the FIFA FIFPro Men’s World11 for 2019. Before that, we have attempted to predict the final eleven from the 55 men shortlist. But would this team be enough to win the UEFA Champions League? Read on to find out who makes the cut in our predicted FIFA FIFPro World eleven and who misses out.
Goalkeeper – Alisson Becker (Brazil, Liverpool)
The Brazilian was a revelation for club and country last season. Alisson won the UEFA Champions League with Liverpool last season and also the Copa America with Brazil in the summer. The Brazilian managed to keep 21 clean sheets in the Premier League, winning the Premier League Golden Glove award in his debut season. He also won the UEFA Champions League Goalkeeper of the season and the Copa America Best Goalkeeper last season. He was recently awarded the UEFA Goalkeeper of the Season.
Right Back – Joshua Kimmich (Germany, Bayern Munich)
The German right back was fantastic for Bayern Munich last season, winning the Bundesliga as well as the DFB-Pokal. Joshua Kimmich was an ever present figure in the defense for his team, rock solid at the back and adventurous going forward. The German defender appeared 34 times in the Bundesliga, scoring twice and setting up 13 goals. He also had 2 assists from 7 games in the Champions League and is certainly one of the best right backs in the world right now.
Left Back – Andrew Robertson (Scotland, Liverpool)
The Scottish full back was one of Jurgen Klopp’s most important players last season. Andrew Robertson’s ability to bomb forward and flood the box with inch perfect crosses gave the opposition nightmares all season. The Scot was dependable at the back as well and was a part of a stellar back line that helped Liverpool win the UEFA Champions League as well as the UEFA Super Cup. Robertson picked up 11 assists from 36 games in the Premier League and is undoubtedly one of the best left backs in the world right now.
Center Back – Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands, Liverpool)
Virgil van Dijk is without doubt the best central defender in the world right now. The Dutchman successfully turned Liverpool’s fortunes around since joining them in January, 2018. With Virgil van Dijk marshaling the defense, Jurgen Klopp’s men were able to implement the “heavy metal” brand of football that has been so successful for Liverpool. Indeed, the Dutchman was at the heart of Liverpool’s triumph of the UEFA Champions League last season and the UEFA Super Cup this year. Virgil van Dijk recently won the UEFA Player of the Year, along with the UEFA Defender of the Season and is the front runner for the Best FIFA Men’s Player of the Year as well.
Center Back – Aymeric Laporte (France, Manchester City)
The Frenchman developed into one of Pep Guardiola’s main men last season, helping the defending Premier League Champions complete a historic domestic treble. Aymeric Laporte was ever present at the back for City, helping Guardiola deal with the catastrophic injury crisis that threatened to jeopardize City’s season. He successfully stepped into Vincent Kompany’s shoes and became the leader that City needed at the back. There are very few defenders in the world better than him at the moment.
Defensive Midfield – N’Golo Kante (France, Chelsea)
The Frenchman was utilized out of position last season by Maurizio Sarri, who opted to push him further forward on the pitch. However, much to his credit, N’Golo Kante excelled in the position. The Frenchman is a hard worker on the pitch who covers every inch on the ground. His defensive qualities are among the best in the world. Last season, Kante was massive for Chelsea as they won the UEFA Europa League and finished 3rd in the Premier League table.
Central Midfielder – Bernardo Silva (Portugal, Manchester City)
The Portuguese ensured that City did not miss Kevin de Bruyne, who was pegged with injuries, last term. Bernardo Silva was the engine room of the City team last season, taking over the creative responsibilities of the team and looking equally comfortable as a part of the midfield or the front three. The Portuguese helped his team seal the Premier League title, the F.A. Cup as well as the League Cup. In the summer, Bernardo Silva helped Portuguese win the UEFA Nations League and was adjudged the Player of the tournament.
Central Midfielder – Frenkie de Jong (Netherlands, Barcelona)
The Dutchman was central to the success of the youthful Ajax side that reached the semi final of the UEFA Champions League and won the Eredivisie and the KNVB Cup last season. In the summer, Frenkie de Jong was an integral part of the Netherlands team that reached the final of the UEFA Nations League. He was adjudged the Eredivisie Player of the season and the Dutch Football Talent of the Year. Recently, he won the UEFA Midfielder of the Season.
Left Forward – Eden Hazard (Belgium, Real Madrid)
Eden Hazard’s last season with Chelsea was certainly one of his finest. The Belgian helped the London club secure Champions League football by powering Chelsea to a third place finish in the Premier League. He then helped his team win the UEFA Europa League, even scoring a brace in the final against Arsenal. Hazard was adjudged the man of the final match. He finished the season with 21 goals and 17 assists from 52 games in all competitions and was recently awarded the UEFA Europa League Player of the season.
Right Forward – Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona)
Another year, another record breaking season from the little magician. Lionel Messi was in devastating form for Barcelona once again last season, scoring 51 goals and registering 22 assists from 49 games in all competitions. He helped Barcelona win the La Liga, and also reached the semi final of the UEFA Champions League and the final of the Copa Del Rey. In the summer, Messi reached the semi final of the Copa America with Argentina. He won his 6th Pichichi Trophy and a record 6th European Golden Shoe last season, while also finishing as the Champions League top goal scorer. The Argentinean was awarded the UEFA Forward of the Season recently and is one of the favourites for the Best FIFA Men’s Player of the Year.
Center Forward – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Juventus)
New league, same Ronaldo. That is what the world realized last season. Cristiano Ronaldo won the Serie A title as well as the Supercoppa Italiana with Juventus in his inaugural season. The Portuguese registered 28 goals from 43 appearances with the Serie A Champions and showed the world that despite his age, his goal scoring abilities are still among the best in the world. Over the summer, Ronaldo also won the UEFA Nations League with Portugal. He is among the three players shortlisted for the Best FIFA Men’s Player of the Year.
Stay tuned for more updates in Football. Till then, Stay Football Mad!
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