- Six Manchester City players feature in FIFA’s FIFPro best men’s team of the year
- Lionel Messi was the only player outside European football to feature
- CHRIS SUTTON: Don’t wait! Sir Jim Ratcliffe must fire Erik ten Hag now – It’s All Kicking Off
Manchester City players dominated the FIFPRO world men’s team that was unveiled by FIFA at an awards ceremony in London on Monday evening.
The team was made up of the best men’s players from last season and over 28,000 professional footballers cast their votes on who should be included.
Six Man City superstars predictably dominated the team after their Treble-winning heroics last season, while there was no room for any Man United players.
Lionel Messi was the only player outside of Europe to be included in the team that forms a 3-3-4 formation boasting the best men’s players.
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola was named as The Best FIFA men’s coach after guiding some of the included Man City stars to unbelievable success last season.
Manchester City players dominated the FIFPRO world men’s team
GOALKEEPER: Thibaut Courtois
DEFENCE: Ruben Dias (Man City), John Stones (Man City), Kyle Walker (Man City),
It’s not surprise to see City’s Treble-winning defence pack out FIFA’s best men’s team as Dias and Walker both feature. In fairness, there would be few complaints if City dominated every defensive position in this team after their success last season.
Dias started 11 of City’s 13 Champions League matches on their way to the title and was a stalwart at centre-back for Pep Guardiola’s team alongside John Stones who was on FIFA’s shortlist.
Meanwhile, Walker takes the right-back spot after his stunning attacking and defensive exploits at City last season ensured he continued to cement his status as one of the world’s best defenders.
Stones was the other inclusion in the three-man defence after the Englishman thrived under Guardiola’s guidance last season to operate as both a defender and midfielder in the team.
MIDFIELD: Bernardo Silva (Man City) Kevin de Bruyne (Man City), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid),
City’s team selection dominance continued in midfield with both Bernardo Silva and Kevin de Bruyne given a place alongside Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham.
De Bruyne was largely responsible for providing the assists for Haaland’s incredible goal tally last season and was also a huge threat in scoring goals of his own as City dominated in England and across Europe.
Silva was the other City star to feature in the FIFPRO midfield after he scored seven goals and registered eight assists for City last season.
Bellingham was the only non-City representative in either midfield or defence as the Englishman broke up a Premier League dominated side.
The England midfielder has been lauded for his outstanding efforts since swapping Borussia Dortmund for Real Madrid in the summer.
ATTACK: Erling Haaland (Man City), Kylian Mbappe (PSG), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Vinicius Jnr (Real Madrid)
More to follow.
