5 choices that don’t make sense in FIFA FIFPRO World XI (2021)

FIFA FIFPRO World XI was revealed on January 17, 2022. Twenty-three of the world’s best-performing footballers were nominated. Voting was conducted among footballers to pick the FIFA FIFPRO World XI.

The goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders and three forwards with the most votes in their position make it into the Men’s FIFA FIFPRO World 11. The last spot is assigned to the outfield player with the next highest votes.

FIFA FIFPRO World XI 2021 had its fair share of problems

While many of the usual suspects were part of the team, many deserving candidates did not make the cut. Moreover, the unorthodox 3-3-4 formation also caused a flurry of reactions on the internet.

Numerous football fans were disappointed with the selected players. Here are five choices that don’t make sense in FIFA FIFPRO World XI.

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#5 Inclusion of four strikers

Four strikers in a team is a massive overkill

Football has always been a sport where forwards consume most of the limelight. All the top clubs in the world have a set of potent attackers. However, there is no team that lines up with four strikers. The uncanny 3-3-4 formation took fans by surprise.

Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, Erling Haaland and Cristiano Ronaldo had a fruitful 2021 in their own regards. However, it is unreasonable to try to accommodate all of them in the same lineup as neither of these players would track back in a practical scenario.

Kylian Mbappe, Mohamed Salah and Karim Benzema also merited a place in the team. Forwards throughout Europe have had a sensational year. The organizing committee should have chosen a defender or midfielder as the 10th outfield player for a more sensible team.

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#4 Lack of full-backs

Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool - Premier League

Another glaring omission in the FIFA FIFPRO World XI is the full-back position. The role of a full-back has become quite significant over the last few seasons. Two recent Champions League winners, Liverpool and Bayern Munich, relied heavily on their full-backs for creativity.

Right-backs, in particular, were highly pivotal in 2021. Trent Alexander-Arnold created the most chances and recorded the most assists in the Premier League as a right-back in 2021. He would have been the ideal choice in this lineup.

Joao Cancelo and Reece James were also pretty good for their respective clubs but failed to make the 23-man shortlist. Jordi Alba was part of the shortlisted players. However, a simple position change of David Alaba to left-back could have made this a compact defensive structure.

#3 Generous addition of Kevin De Bruyne

Manchester City v Leicester City - Premier League

Kevin De Bruyne was unnecessarily included in the FIFA FIFPRO World XI. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that the Belgian is one of the best midfielders in the world. However, he had a lacklustre 2021 with club and country to say the least.

The Manchester City midfielder scored 14 goals and registered 9 assists last year, ranking him 13th in terms of goal contributions among midfielders. Bruno Fernandes made a whopping 37 (19 goals + 18 assists) goal contributions, 14 more than De Bruyne.

In fact, De Bruyne’s teammates Phil Foden and Ilkay Gundogan were involved more heavily in attack. The former Borussia Dortmund man had 26 goal contributions, while the English youngster had a direct hand in 30 goals. De Bruyne’s selection definitely raised a few eyebrows.

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#2 Mohamed Salah snubbed in FIFA FIFPRO World XI

Liverpool v Chelsea - Premier League

Egyptian sensation Mohamed Salah is having a tremendous campaign with Liverpool. Many consider him to be the best player at the moment. The right-winger was nominated for FIFA The Best Men’s Player award. However, he failed to find a place in the FIFA FIFPRO World XI.

The problem started with Salah’s exclusion from the 23-man shortlist. The 29-year-old’s nomination for FIFA The Best Men’s Player came as a surprise since he hadn’t been a part of the 23-man shortlist released by FIFA. It seems as if FIFA contradicted themselves in both the awards.

With that being said, Salah is consistently scoring goals in the Premier League. His 16 goals and 10 assists rank him highly in both metrics. If the Liverpool forward is able to maintain this standard, he will surely feature in next year’s FIFA FIFPRO World XI.

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#1 The Mendy-Donnarumma debate

West Ham United v Chelsea - Premier League

Edouard Mendy and Gianluigi Donnarumma were the two standout goalkeepers of 2021. While the Chelsea goalkeeper was instrumental in the London side’s Champions League victory, Donnaumma carried Italy to their second ever European Championship.

Alisson Becker was the third goalkeeper nominated. While Edouard Mendy won FIFA The Best Goalkeeper award, Gianluigi Donnarumma was given the gloves in FIFA FIFPRO World XI. This was another contradictory decision made by FIFA.

Both shot stoppers were pivotal in their respective team’s performances last year. The Senegalese goalkeeper was better statistically, while Donnarumma was better at national level. The major problem with FIFA’s choice is that both awards contradicted each other.