Cristiano Ronaldo not in FIFPRO Men’s World 11 for first time
After 15 years, Cristiano Ronaldo was not in FIFPRO Men’s World 11 for the first time. Emiliano Martinez was named the best goalkeeper of 2022 by FIFA, but Thibaut Courtois was selected as the best goalkeeper in the FIFPro team.
In the forward line, Cristiano Ronaldo was absent for the first time since 2007, while Lionel Messi was still named. The Argentine superstar has been named in the FIFPro World XI for the 15th consecutive time, a record no other player in the history of world football has achieved.
Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Karim Benzema were alongside Messi in the forward line. Casemiro, Kevin De Bruyne, and Luka Modric formed the midfield trio in the FIFPro team.
In defense, the three names chosen were Virgil van Dijk, the star who helped Liverpool win the Premier League runner-up position and Carabao Cup, FA Cup. Premier League champion Joao Cancelo of Man City (now transferred to Bayern Munich) and PSG star and Morocco national team player Achraf Hakimi were also named in the World XI.
During The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony, FIFA replayed a video of memorable moments at the 2022 World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo appeared in the video, but only in a shot of him sitting on the bench during the match against Switzerland in the round of 16, which Portugal won 6-1.
That was the first time Ronaldo had come on as a substitute for Portugal in 14 years. In the quarterfinal against Morocco, Ronaldo was also a substitute for Goncalo Ramos, and Portugal lost 0-1, ending their World Cup dream.
FIFA’s action received backlash from fans. One supporter was angry, saying, “FIFA is biased towards Messi and belittles Ronaldo. This is not the first time FIFA has behaved disrespectfully like this. Ronaldo does not deserve to be made fun of.”
In the category of The Best FIFA Men’s Player, the 2022 World Cup Golden Ball, Lionel Messi overcomes two heavyweights, Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema to raise the prestigious individual award of the World Football Federation.
This is the second time in his career that “El Pulga” has won this award. His achievement is equal to Robert Lewandowski and Cristiano Ronaldo (both times).
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