FIFA has released a 23-man list for 2021 best players but Édouard Mendy is the only African player on the star studded list
By Kehinde Okeowo
FIFA released the list of players to be shortlisted for World XI on Tuesday, but only an African player, Édouard Mendy, made the 23 man list.
Mohammed Salah, who has had an incredible season so far and leading the goal scorers chart in the English league was conspicuously missing.
However, the squad was voted for by the players themselves, and 10 of the 23 players that were picked play in the Premier League.
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The 23-man group will eventually be pruned down into the ‘World XI’ in December, during the ceremony of The Best FIFA Football Awards.
The final 11 man list will consist of 1 goalkeeper, 3 defenders, 3 midfielders, and 3 strikers, all of who must gain the highest votes in their respective positions, the final spot will be given to an outfield player with the next highest number of votes
The list released by FIFA has 18 European players, 4 of them are from South America, while Africa has just one representative.
WORLD XI: FULL 23-MAN SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS:
Alisson Becker (Brazil/Liverpool FC)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy/AC Milan/Paris Saint-Germain)
Édouard Mendy (Senegal/Chelsea FC)
DEFENDERS:
David Alaba (Austria/FC Bayern München/Real Madrid CF)
Jordi Alba (Spain/FC Barcelona)
Trent Alexander-Arnold (England/Liverpool FC)
Dani Alves (Brazil/São Paulo FC/FC Barcelona)
Leonardo Bonucci (Italy/Juventus FC)
Rúben Dias (Portugal/Manchester City FC)
MIDFIELDERS:
Sergio Busquets (Spain/FC Barcelona)
Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium/Manchester City FC)
Bruno Fernandes (Portugal/Manchester United FC)
Frenkie de Jong (Netherlands/FC Barcelona)
Jorginho (Italy/Chelsea FC)
N’Golo Kante (France/Chelsea FC)
FORWARDS:
Karim Benzema (France/Real Madrid CF)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Juventus FC/Manchester United FC)
Erling Haaland (Norway/ BV Borussia 09 Dortmund)
Robert Lewandowski (Poland/FC Bayern München)
Romelu Lukaku (Belgium/FC Internazionale Milano/Chelsea FC)
Kylian Mbappé (France/Paris Saint-Germain)
Lionel Messi (Argentina/FC Barcelona/Paris Saint-Germain)
Neymar (Brazil/Paris Saint-Germain)
