FIFA World XI Review

The Best FIFA Football Awards - Show
The Best FIFA Football Awards

The World XI was announced and as usual, we had the normal names like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi among it all. But unlike last year there are a few surprises which have been included.

With Luka Modric winning The Best Male footballer after edging his peers Mohammed Salah and Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Portuguese not attending the awards.

Here are the Top 11 players in the world!

#1 David De Gea

Manchester United v Leicester City - Premier League
Is De Gea the best?

There is no debate and argument over this, David De Gea is the best goalkeeper in the world! Despite him having a poor World Cup he still earned his spot in the team and rightly so. He has already saved Manchester United several times this season with some sublime saves.

In the 17-18 Premier League season, he won the golden glove as United finished second. He had 18 clean sheets.

#2 Dani Alves

Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg

A bit of a surprise inclusion in this 11 man team, it is the Brazilian man Alves who only started 25 games for his club PSG. It was being said that there are other players who potentially deserved this position such as the likes of Dani Carvajal and even the Englishman Kyle Walker.

But it is not all his fault as he endured a serious rupture to his ligament at the end of last season. But, on the other hand, his tendency to get up and down the line with immense intensity providing quality either ends of the pitch has earned him a place.

#3 Sergio Ramos

Spain v Croatia - UEFA Nations League A
Ramos is a rock

Sergio Ramos for so many years has been sublime and amazingly consistent as last season he helped Real Madrid win its 3rd consecutive UEFA Champions League title. He was great throughout the whole competition.

Sergio Ramos has definitely earned his place in this team with his consistent and match-winning performances defensively. His World Cup was not fantastic with Spain, but his credentials as a center-back are already set.

#4 Raphael Varane

Real Madrid v AC Milan - Pre-Season Friendly
Is Varane underrated

Raphael Varane endured a great season like his fellow center-back rock Sergio Ramos, but actually had an even better season than him. He played a vital part in Real Madrid winning its 13th Champions League.

But it gets even better as he played a pivotal part in that French World Cup-winning squad as France were a force defensively. Actually, Varane was number one in Cristiano Ronaldo's votes for The Best player of the year award.

#5 Marcelo

Real Madrid Celebrate After Victory In The Champions League Final Against Liverpool
The best left back in the World

In the left back department, it doesn't get better than having this Brazilian at your disposal. He is ruthless in his defending and an absolute force going forward. He and Ronaldo created such a great partnership last season down that left wing as they ripped teams to shreds.

He is an enthusiastic and an absolute athlete who is one of the best attacking-fullbacks to ever grace the game.

#6 N'Golo Kante

Chelsea FC v Cardiff City - Premier League

N'Golo Kante is a machine, described by many as superhuman, as he surfs every inch of the grass on the football field. He is one of the best at reading the game and making the most impossible interceptions.

His incredible effort levels are truly admirable and rightly so he is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world. He had a tremendous World Cup, dominating the midfield in every game for France, helping his squad to win its second World Cup in history.

#7 Luka Modric

The Best FIFA Football Awards - Show
The Best FIFA Football Awards

Luka Modric has had a year not to forget and probably one he dreamed of as he lifted the Champions League with Real Madrid. He also led the Croatia team to the final as they faced defeat against a very strong French team.

He beat Cristiano Ronaldo to the award last night and he is also a front-runner for the prestigious individual award the Ballon d'Or.

#8 Eden Hazard

The Best FIFA Football Awards - Green Carpet Arrivals
Hazard has started the season brilliantly

Another surprise inclusion due to the fact he has made it ahead of Premier League player of the year Mohammed Salah. But nonetheless, he has been included due to his amazing dribbling skills and he carried Chelsea last season as they won the FA Cup. He couldn't do enough though as his team missed out on a top 4 place last season.

He also had a great run in the FIFA World Cup at Russia as he scored 3 goals and helped Belgium reach the 3rd spot.

#9 Lionel Messi

FC Barcelona v Girona FC - La Liga
FC Barcelona v Girona FC - La Liga

Lionel Messi is obviously going to be in the team, his unbelievable dribbling skills and goal-scoring ability puts him up there with the best. He scored 45 goals in all competitions as Barcelona won the La Liga and Copa del Rey last year.

He also topped the charts in his league with 34 league goals.

#10 Kylian Mbappe

Paris Saint-Germain Training Session
Mbappe has been terrific

Kylian Mbappe played a vital part in his team winning the World Cup as he dominated opponents in that right wing area. He caused the opposition defenses havoc throughout the whole tournament and he also popped up with many important goals, especially his quarterfinals-brace versus Argentina. Also, he ended Croatia's hopes in the final with a great shot from outside the box. He scored 21 goals and assisted 15 times in 46 matches for PSG in last year's campaign.

#11 Cristiano Ronaldo

Frosinone Calcio v Juventus - Serie A
Can Ronaldo dominate Italy?

Cristiano Ronaldo made a very surprising move to Turin during the summer. It has started well for him as he has scored 3 goals and grabbed an assist so far. Having arguably shrugged Messi off the top of the tree, it looks like he has a new man to deal with: Luka Modric, his former teammate, who won the award for The Best FIFA male player.

His position in this team is obviously well deserved as he dragged Portugal to the round of 16 in the World Cup and also dragged Real Madrid to the final in the Champions League where they beat Liverpool 3-1, he scored 15 goals in the UCL, the third-highest goal-tally ever (first and second belongs to him too).

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