FIFPro Best XI: Messi, Ronaldo and Lewandowski named in top team of 2021

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 17 Jan 2022 16:08 CST
• 4 min read

All-time greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been named in he 2021 Men’s FIFA FIFPRO World 11 and are joined by FIFA The Best Men’s Player award winner Robert Lewandowski in an ultra-attacking side.

In an award that is supposed to showcase the best the game has had to offer from the past 12 months, an unlikely 3-3-4 system was picked.

This formation has allowed four superstar attackers to be named in it, with Messi, Ronaldo and Lewandowski joined by Erling Haaland, who makes his debut in the FIFPRO 11.

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Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah, who was on a three-man shortlist for The Best Men’s Player, is a notable omission from the team along with Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe.

Chelsea enjoyed a successful evening at The Best awards, with managers Thomas Tuchel and Emma Hayes picking up top honours in their respective categories, while goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper. Equally, Jorginho and N’Golo Kante form two-thirds of the midfield in the World 11, though Mendy missed out in goal, where Gianluigi Donnarumma was picked.

Completing the midfield is Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne, who delivered the winning goal against Chelsea last weekend.

The three-man defence, meanwhile, also boast a Manchester City player in the form of Ruben Dias, who was one of the breakout stars of last season and has been charged with making their rearguard an altogether more intimidating prospect.

Meanwhile, Leonardo Bonucci has earned a place in the side thanks to his decisive performances for Italy at Euro 2020 – no doubt a factor in Donnarumma getting the nod in goal after being named the tournament’s outstanding player.

Finally, Real Madrid defender David Alaba is the sole Real Madrid representative in the team, having made the jump from Bayern Munich on a free transfer during the summer.

Only Lewandowski, Messi, Ronaldo and De Bruyne have retained their spots in the FIFPRO 11 after being named in the squad last year.