THE 26-man Fifa Fifpro 2022 shortlist has been revealed as Lionel Messi AND Cristiano Ronaldo both make the cut.
The star-studded list, which is compiled from nominations by players, will eventually be trimmed down to a best world XI.
AFPLionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have both made the shortlist[/caption]
@FIFPROThe 26 players shortlisted for the Fifa Fifpro XI[/caption]
But for now fans are being left to speculate who will make the team from three keepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders and seven forwards.
And just one Englishman made it into the elite group of players.
Messi was nailed on to be in the shortlist after he ended the year by winning the World Cup for Argentina.
But the inclusion of Ronaldo was more of a surprise.
The Portuguese star, 38, did end the 2021/22 campaign with 24 goals for Man Utd.
However, he registered just three for the Red Devils in the first half of this season, before leaving for Al-Nassr.
Referencing Ronaldo’s inclusion in the list, Piers Morgan said: “Interesting to see his peer group show him a lot more respect than most of the football media”.
The other five forwards listed as possibilities for the XI are Karim Benzema, Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.
BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
GettyKylian Mbappe has enjoyed a sensational 12 months with PSG and France[/caption]
But there is no place for Brazilian Vinicius Junior – who was integral in winning Real Madrid the Champions League.
The only England star to make it into the list is Borussia Dortmund teenager Jude Bellingham.
His sensational 12 months at club level have coincided with a breakout year for the Three Lions.
He is joined by seven midfielders on the shortlist – Casemiro, Kevin de Bruyne, Enzo Fernandez, Gavi, Luka Modric, Pedri and Fede Valverde.
Half of the eight defenders listed spent at least part of 2022 in the Premier League – Joao Cancelo, Virgil van Dijk, Antonio Rudiger and Thiago Silva.
They are joined by Alphonso Davies, Josko Gvardiol, Achraf Hakimi and Theo Hernandez.
And the three keepers in contention are Alisson Becker, Thibaut Courtois and Emi Martinez.
Jude Bellingham is one of the most exciting young stars in EuropeGetty Read More