With FIFA’s ‘The Best’ Awards currently underway, the governing body has unveiled the FIFPro Men’s Best XI for the year 2023 comprising of top performers voted by players.
The FIFA FIFPro World XI has been in practice since 2009, with FIFPro inviting all professional footballers, men and women, to compose the best men’s and women’s teams of the year.
An initial 23-player nominee list is unveiled following which a World XI is announced that comprises a goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders, and three forwards, with the final slot being granted to the outfield player with the next most number of votes irrespective of the position.
And, as many as three Real Madrid stars have made the cut for the 2023 FIFA FIFPro World XI.
Star goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has been voted as the starter for the FIFPro Best XI while summer signing Jude Bellingham, who enjoyed a spectacular 2023, both at Borussia Dortmund and then at Real Madrid, also makes it to the team.
The third Real Madrid star voted into the FIFA FIFPro World XI is star attacker Vinicius Jr., who continued to enhance his reputation as one of the best young forwards in the game in 2023.
There is a large contingent of Manchester City players in the lineup, with Kyle Walker, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, and Erling Haaland, all making the team.
There is also place for PSG superstar and Real Madrid target Kylian Mbappe in the side while 2022 FIFA World Cup winner Lionel Messi makes the cut as well.