FIFA have unveiled the 15 forwards nominated to make the FIFPro World XI, with the list led by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
The duo, who have today been confirmed as 2013 FIFA Ballon d’Or finalists, are two of four La Liga-based forwards to make the 15-man shortlist of strikers for the World XI, which aims to select through a members’ vote the best possible XI from the game over the past 12 months.
Ronaldo and Messi are joined by Diego Costa of Atletico Madrid as well as Neymar of Barcelona, whilst former Atleti man Radamel Falcao is also nominated.
On from last week’s staggered announcement of nominees for the other positions, it means that of the 55 players shortlisted, 19 are based in Spain’s top flight.
Last year’s FIFPro World XI was made up entirely of players from La Liga.
FIFPro World XI 2013 nominees
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy, Juventus); Iker Casillas (Spain, Real Madrid CF); Petr Cech (Czech Republic, Chelsea FC); Manuel Neuer (Germany, FC Bayern München), Víctor Valdes (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 Ivanović (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 St-Germain FC); Raphaël Varane (France, Real Madrid CF); Nemanja Vidić (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 (Côte d’Ivoire, Manchester City FC); Arturo Vidal (Chile, Juventus); Xavi (Spain; FC Barcelona)
Forwards: Sergio Agüero (Argentina, Manchester City FC); Mario Balotelli (Italy, Manchester City FC/AC Milan); Edinson Cavani (Uruguay, SSC Napoli/Paris Saint-Germain FC); Diego Costa (Spain, Club Atlético de Madrid); Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid CF); Didier Drogba (Côte d’Ivoire, Shanghai Shenhua FC/Galatasaray SK); Radamel Falcao (Colombia, Club Atlético de Madrid/AS Monaco FC); Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden, Paris Saint-Germain FC); Robert Lewandowski (Poland, Borussia Dortmund); Mario Mandžukić (Croatia, FC Bayern München); Lionel Messi (Argentina, FC Barcelona); Neymar (Brazil, Santos FC/FC Barcelona); Wayne Rooney (England, Manchester United FC); Luis Suárez (Uruguay, Liverpool FC); Robin van Persie (Netherlands, Manchester United FC)
