Twenty defenders shortlisted for FIFA/FIFPro World XI 2012

Twenty defenders have been shortlisted for the FIFA FIFPro World XI 2012 as a part of the 55-player final shortlist yet to be revealed at a press conference in São Paulo on 29 November 2012. The list was dominated by Barcelona and Real Madrid players with the likes of Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos and Pepe in it.

Three days after the unveiling of the five-goalkeeper shortlist, the 20 defenders are now known and will be followed by the 15 midfielders and 15 forwards due to be announced and published on FIFA.com on 26 and 29 November respectively.

The full shortlist:

Jordi Alba (Spain, Barcelona)

Gareth Bale (Wales, Tottenham Hotspur)

Giorgio Chiellini (Italy, Juventus)

Ashley Cole (England, Chelsea)

Dani Alves (Brazil, Barcelona)

David Luiz (Brazil, Chelsea)

Patrice Evra (France, Manchester United)

Rio Ferdinand (England, Manchester United)

Mats Hummels (Germany, Borussia Dortmund)

Branislav Ivanovic (Serbia, Chelsea)

Vincent Kompany (Belgium, Manchester City)

Philipp Lahm (Germany, Bayern Munich)

Marcelo (Brazil, Real Madrid)

Javier Mascherano (Argentina, Barcelona)

Pepe (Portugal, Real Madrid)

Gerard Piqué (Spain, Barcelona)

Carles Puyol (Spain, Barcelona)

Sergio Ramos (Spain, Real Madrid)

John Terry (England, Chelsea)

Thiago Silva (Brazil, Paris St-Germain).

They had already announced the five goalkeepers shortlisted for the FIFA/FIFPro World XI 2012. The list had Gianluigi Buffon (Italy, Juventus), Iker Casillas (Spain, Real Madrid), Petr Cech (Czech Republic, Chelsea), Joe Hart (England, Manchester City) and Manuel Neuer (Germany, Bayern Munich).