FIFA announced the FIFPRO Men’s World11 on Monday’s gala evening. Remarkably, there is no place for Mohamed Salah of Liverpool in the best team in the world, while the attacker finishes in third place in the election for FIFA Men’s Best Player. Cristiano Ronaldo, who failed to make the podium, is, to the surprise of many, preferred over Salah.
Salah had an unparalleled 2021, in which he scored 37 goals in 52 official games. Ronaldo’s year was also very good with 34 hits in 51 matches. With an ultra-attacking 3-3-4 formation, FIFA chooses the attack in the fictional team. Simultaneously named FIFA’s best player, Robert Lewandowski is front and center with the stars Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Erling Braut Haaland.
In midfield is Chelsea’s controlling bloc, made up of N’Golo Kante and Jorginho, while Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne is the number ten. Gianluigi Donnarumma is in goal. The Italian goalkeeper finds his compatriot Leonardo Bonucci in front of him in the defence, which is further completed by David Alaba and Rúben Dias.
Furthermore, the Danish national team and its staff received a special mention with the FIFA Fair Play Award. The Danes are praised for their handling of the critical situation of Christian Eriksen at the European Championship last summer. Thomas Tuchel took home the award for best coach, while Édouard Mendy was voted best goalkeeper. The Puskás Award for the best goal went to Erik Lamela, who scored against Arsenal with Tottenham Hotspur behind his standing leg.
FIFPRO Men’s World11: Donnarumma; Alaba, Bonucci, Dias; Kante, De Bruyne, Jorginho; Ronaldo, Haaland, Lewandowski, Messi
The Best FIFA Men’s Coach: Thomas Tuchel
The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper: Edouard Mendy
FIFA Fair Play Award:: Danish national team and staff
FIFA Ferenc Puskas Award: Erik Lamela (with Tottenham Hotspur against Arsenal)