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#3 Karim Benzema | Real Madrid
Karim Benzema is another notable absentee from this year's FIFPro Men's World XI.
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Ever since Cristiano Ronaldo exited Real Madrid four seasons ago, Benzema has spearheaded Los Blancos' attack consistently. Players like Gareth Bale have struggled to adapt in the post-Ronaldo era. However, the Frenchman has taken up his new role in his stride, scoring 23 La Liga goals last season.
Notably, Benzema has crossed the 20-goal mark in La Liga for three straight seasons and looks set to do so again this term.
Currently enjoying a brilliant campaign with the Merengues, the powerful striker has recorded an astonishing run of form in the final third. Netting 17 goals just halfway through La Liga has seen the star lead the goalscoring charts in Spain.
Real Madrid are clearly on track to win the league title and much of it has been thanks to Benzema's eye for goal and his partnership with Vinicius Jr. This is why it is a surprise that the French international has been excluded from the FIFPro XI, even though he made the shortlist.
#2 Kylian Mbappe | PSG
Another player who made the shortlist but was unable to get into the final squad was Benzema's fellow Frenchman Kylian Mbappe.
Last season may not have been his most prolific in front of goal, but the young star was clearly on fire and recorded 27 strikes in just 31 Ligue 1 games. Those numbers made him the top-scorer in the French top-flight during the 2020-21 campaign.
This season has seen the vibrant attacker pick up fewer goals, as he has found the back of the net just 10 times in 19 league games. However, his creativity has improved, with Mbappe picking up a brilliant eight assists so far. His exclusion will certainly not go down well with the star's fans.
Mbappe also made it to the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season, and his exclusion from FIFPro's XI has had many fans questioning the award.
#1 Edouard Mendy | Chelsea
Perhaps the most shocking exclusion from FIFPro's starting lineup is Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
Only three goalkeepers were shortlisted for the spot, including PSG's Gianluigi Donnarumma and Liverpool's Allison Becker. After his key role in winning the Champions League with Chelsea, Mendy's presence in the starting XI should've been a given.
Besides, Mendy also won the Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper 2021 Award which should have also put him in the FIFPro XI easily.
With Donnarumma taking the slot between the sticks instead, Chelsea fans will have to make do with midfielders N'Golo Kante and Jorginho making the lineup. This isn't the first time Donnarumma has beaten Mendy to an important award this season, having picked up the Yashin Trophy ahead of the Senegalese.
Interestingly, Mendy kept more clean sheets (15) in the Premier League than Donnarumma kept across all of his club appearances last year (15). Yet the Chelsea star missed out on the coveted award which will certainly aggrieve the Blues faithful.
