With the countdown to the naming of the FIFA FIFPro World XI well and truly underway we asked four PFA members to select their World XI.
The votes are in. Australia’s professional footballers and their peers from around the world have had their say. The 55-man shortlist, which includes the likes of Messi, Ronaldo, Ribery and Neuer has been named. On Monday January 13th 2014 the FIFA FIFPro World XI will be announced at the Ballon d’Or in Zurich.
In the build-up to the announcement four A-League stars selected their World XI players in their corresponding positions. Adelaide United’s outstanding goal keeper Eugene Galekovic picks his World XI number one from the five shortlisted shot stoppers. Perth Glory’s all-action full-back Scott Jamieson choses his back four from the 20-man shortlist. Melbourne Victory playmaker Mitch Nicholls selects his midfield three from a 15-man shortlist that includes the likes of Gareth Bale and Xavi. Tasked with picking a front three from a 15-man shortlist that includes Messi, Ronaldo and Suarez, Newcastle Jets goal scoring ace Adam Taggart choses his World XI forward line.
The PFA Members’ World XI, 4-3-3
Eugene Galekovic’s World XI Goal Keeper
Manuel Neuer (Germany, FC Bayern Munich)
What he has done at Bayern Munich has been outstanding winning the treble last season. He is an excellent shot stopper and very strong on crosses. They usually dominate games so he doesn’t always have loads to do but the sign of a good keeper is when they get called upon they are ready, and that is certainly the case with Neuer.
Scott Jamieson’s World XI Back Four
David Alaba (Austria, FC Bayern Munich)
He was hugely important in Bayern Munich’s success last season. He is excellent going forward and is brilliant defensively. As a left back, in my opinion, he is the best in the world at the moment.
Mats Hummels (Germany, Borussia Dortmund)
For the last two years he has been outstanding for Dortmund in the Champions League and in the Bundesliga. He is very composed on the ball and they build a lot of their attacks through him, and defensively he is fantastic.
Raphael Varane (France, Real Madrid)
Being a young lad and playing for Real Madrid is a huge feat in itself and he has been one of their best players in the last 12 months. His maturity stands out and he plays like a player well beyond his years and has managed to keep the likes of Pepe out of the team.
Philipp Lahm (Germany, FC Bayern Munich)
He is so consistent, you never see him play a bad game. I don’t think he has any weaknesses. He is so good going forward, he has two excellent feet and can play all over the pitch. He is also an excellent leader for Bayern.
Mitch Nicholl’s World XI Midfield Three
Franck Ribéry (France, FC Bayern Munich)
He was hugely important for Bayern in their brilliant season last year. He was consistent all year and in the big games he was often the difference, either scoring or setting up his teammates.
Gareth Bale (Wales, Tottenham Hotspur FC/Real Madrid)
The amount of goals he scored last season was unbelievable, especially in a team that was not challenging for the tittle. His form saw him move to Real Madrid for a world record fee and he has carried on where he left off at Tottenham. He has so much pace and power and his willingness to shoot really stands out.
Yaya Touré (Ivory Coast, Manchester City FC)
You need someone in the midfield that can also defend. He has the all round game, he is strong, he is powerful, he pass and win tackles. He can also chip in with goals and he has been consistently excellent for Man City for two years.
Adam Taggart’s World XI Front Three
Neymar (Brazil, FC Barcelona)
He is a great young player and still has a big future ahead of him. What he has been able to achieve and show so far has been really spectacular. He is always attacking and running at people and I think that is something people love to see.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid)
He has been one of the most entertaining attackers in the world. He has the full package, he is big and physical, he is quick, he scores, he takes on people and he is always working hard on the ball and is someone everyone would want him in their team.
Luis Suarez (Uruguay, Liverpool FC)
He is probably the most natural goal scorer I can think of at the moment. For me personally he is probably my favorite player and is the complete number nine. He can do the lot, he is always causing trouble for defenders but the main thing is he is a natural goal scorer.
The full 55-man Shortlist:
Goal Keepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy, Juventus) Iker Casillas (Spain, Real Madrid CF) Petr Cech (Czech Republic, Chelsea FC) Manuel Neuer (Germany, FC Bayern München) Víctor Valdés (Spain, FC Barcelona).
Defenders: 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 Saint-Germain FC) Raphaël Varane (France, Real Madrid CF) Nemanja Vidic (Serbia, Manchester United FC) Pablo Zabaleta (Argentina, Manchester City FC)
Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Spain, Real Madrid CF) Gareth Bale (Wales, Tottenham Hotspur FC/Real Madrid CF) Sergio Busquets (Spain, FC Barcelona) Steven Gerrard (England, Liverpool FC) Andrés Iniesta (Spain, FC Barcelona) Isco (Spain, Málaga CF/Real Madrid CF) Mesut Özil (Germany, Real Madrid CF/Arsenal FC) Andrea Pirlo (Italy, Juventus) Marco Reus (Germany, Borussia Dortmund) Franck Ribéry (France, FC Bayern München) Arjen Robben (Netherlands, FC Bayern München) Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany, FC Bayern München) Yaya Touré (Ivory Coast, Manchester City FC) Arturo Vidal (Chile, Juventus) Xavi (Spain, FC Barcelona)
Attackers: Sergio Agüero (Argentina, Manchester City FC) Mario Balotelli (Italy, AC Milan) Edinson Cavani (Uruguay, AS Napoli/Paris Saint-Germain FC) Diego Costa (Spain, Atlético de Madrid) Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid CF) Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast, Galatasary SK) Radamel Falcao (Colombia, Atlético de Madrid/AS Monaco FC) Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden, Paris Saint-Germain FC) Robert Lewandowski (Poland, Borussia Dortmund) Mario Mandzukic (Croatia, FC Bayern München) Lionel Messi (Argentina, FC Barcelona) Neymar (Brazil, FC Barcelona) Robin van Persie (The Netherlands, Manchester United FC) Wayne Rooney (England, Manchester United FC) Luis Suarez (Uruguay, Liverpool FC)
