Mo Salah left out of FIFA FIFPro XI as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi named

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have both been named in FIFA FIFPro Men's World11 for 2021 alongside Chelsea's Jorginho and N'Golo Kante with Premier League stars making almost half the team

Posted Tuesday, January 18, 2022 by Dailystar.co.uk

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were among those named in FIFA's World XI at the Best FIFA awards in Zurich, Switzerland, on Monday evening - with Mohamed Salah missing out.

FIFA's The Best awards are separate from the Ballon d'Or ceremony which was held last November and recognises both individual and team achievements across football.

The Best Men's Player and Best Women's Players were among the gongs dished out at the star-studded bash that has divided opinion on social media in the past.

As well as individual awards, the FIFPro World 11 was also revealed, confirming a real-life 'ultimate team' comprised of the best players from around the world over the last 12 months.

The full XI is Gianluigi Donnarumma; David Alaba, Ruben Dias, Leonardo Bonucci; Jorginho, N'Golo Kante, Kevin De Bruyne; Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski and Lionel Messi.

The likes of Ronaldo, Haaland, Messi and Best FIFA Mens' Player winner Lewandowski were all expected to be named in the side, but there was a surprise as Salah's name was omitted from the team.

The Egyptian star has been regularly talked about as one of the best players in the world this season but was unable to force his way into the elite XI at the bash in Zurich.

Liverpool fans on social media were furious at his omission, labelling the team a "disgrace."

One person wrote: "Mohamed Salah is the most disrespected footballer on planet earth. What an absolute joke not including him in "Fifa's The Best XI". Credibility being lost for them. Absolute disgrace."

While someone else said: "What the f*** is this s***? No Salah is a disgrace, and how the f*** is Mendy not in this? Hasn't Donnarumma been 2nd choice at PSG?."

The Premier League was represented by five players in the FIFPro World XI: Dias, De Bruyne, Kante, Jorginho and Manchester United star Ronaldo.

Ronaldo also received a special award at the ceremony.

Elsewhere, England defender Lucy Bronze was named in the Women's XI, with Chelsea duo Emma Hayes and Thomas Tuchel taking The Best manager awards.