FIFA have announced the official 2019 World XI, but snubbed African superstar Mohamed Salah & Sadio Mane.
Football’s governing body once again collaborated with the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPro) to get about 23 000 professional players to vote for their peers.
Each of the footballers selected their personal World XI, with the most chosen players per position making the final overall dream team.
As in every edition, the World XI will line up in a 4-3-3 formation, and is based on performances in the previous campaign.
Somewhat surprisingly, UEFA Champions League winners Liverpool have just two players in the selection after lifting their sixth European Cup in Istanbul, Turkey, namely Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, have four players in the team despite not winning any trophy in 2018/19. But the likes of Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Luka Modric and Eden Hazard all made the selection again, even though the latter’s appearance is based on his performances for Chelsea in 2019/20.
The rest of the spots are filled by Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong, following their strong displays for Ajax Amsterdam last season, superstar duo Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as well as Kylian Mbappe.
Players such as African superstar Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane as well as their Liverpool teammates Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson can feel hard done by after not making the selection despite their superb 2018/19, which climaxed in lifting the UEFA Champions League.
Do you agree with the 2019 World XI? If not, who would make your version? Have your say in the comments section below.
