Sports

Ronaldo, Messi, Bellingham Make 2023 FIFA FIFPro Team Shortlist [FULL LIST]

Published

1 year ago

January 4, 2024

The 2023 Federation of International Football Association’s FIFPro team shortlist, released on Wednesday, will be unveiled at The Best FIFA Football Awards in London, England, on Monday, January 15.

The FIFA FIFPro is the only global football award decided exclusively by professional footballers with over 28,000 professional footballers who have cast their votes.

Al Nassr forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, 38, currently the highest goal scorer in the Saudi Pro League with 20 goals, is joined on the list by the 2022 World Cup winner for Argentina, Lionel Messi.

Also on the list are Paris Saint-Germain captain, Kylian Mbappe; Real Madrid sensation, Jude Bellingham; and Manchester City treble winner, Erling Haaland.

Bayern Munich striker, Harry Kane, and former Real Madrid striker, Karim Benzema, also appear on the list.

As stated by FIFPro, the goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders and three forwards who have received the most votes will be selected for the World 11.

The final spot in the World 11 will then be assigned to the remaining outfield player with the next highest number of votes.

The male players were nominated for their performances from December 19, 2022, to August 20, 2023, inclusive, and the players selected must have played at least 23 games within the period.

In the women’s category, World Cup winners Aitana Bonmati and Jenni Hermoso were nominated. Also on the list is Chelsea’s women’s duo of Lauren James and Sam Kerr.

See the full list below:

2023 FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11 Finalists

Goalkeepers

Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid, Belgium), Ederson (Manchester City, Brazil) and Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa, Argentina).

Defenders

Ruben Dias (Manchester City, Portugal), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, Netherlands), Eder Militao (Real Madrid, Brazil), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid, Germany), John Stones (Manchester City, England) and Kyle Walker (Manchester City, England).

Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund/Real Madrid, England), Kevin De Bruyne, (Manchester City, Belgium), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City/Barcelona, Germany), Luka Modric (Real Madrid, Croatia), Rodri (Manchester City, Spain), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City, Portugal) and Federico Valverde (Real Madrid, Uruguay).

Forwards

Karim Benzema (Real Madrid/Al-Ittihad, France), Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur/Bayern Munich, England), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain/Inter Miami, Argentina), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr, Portugal) and Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid, Brazil).

2023 FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11 Finalists

Goalkeepers

Mackenzie Arnold (West Ham United, Australia), Mary Earps (Manchester United, England) and Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars, USA).

Defenders

Lucy Bronze (Barcelona, England), Olga Carmona (Real Madrid, Spain), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City, England), Amanda Ilestedt (Paris Saint-Germain/Arsenal, Sweden), Ashley Lawrence (Paris Saint-Germain/Chelsea, Canada), Maria Leon (Barcelona, Spain) and Irene Paredes (Barcelona, Spain).

Midfielders

Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona, Spain), Claudia Pina (Barcelona, Spain), Fridolina Rolfo (Barcelona, Sweden), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich, England), Ella Toone (Manchester United, England) and Keira Walsh (Barcelona, England)

Forwards

Jennifer Hermoso (Pachuca/Tigres, Spain), Lauren James (Chelsea, England)
Sam Kerr (Chelsea, Australia), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave, USA), Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona, Spain), Alexandra Popp (Wolfsburg, Germany) and Alessia Russo (Manchester United/Arsenal, England)

The PUNCH reports that in August 2023, FIFPro confirmed that it received complaints from the Super Falcons over their outstanding bonuses and allowances with the Nigeria Football Federation, which dates back to 2021,

This followed after the Falcons’ elimination from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

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Sports

JUST IN: Cristiano Ronaldo Confirms Al Nassr’s Stay, To Sign New Deal

Published

1 week ago

June 9, 2025

Editor

Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo is ready to extend his stay with Saudi pro side Al Nassr and is even ready to sign a new deal.

According to Fabrizio Romano’s post on X on Monday, the Portuguese have dismissed rumours of leaving Al Nassr.

The post read, “Cristiano Ronaldo confirms plan to stay at Al Nassr by signing a new deal.

“My future? Basically, nothing is gonna change. Staying at Al Nassr? Yea.”

Recall that the 40-year-old on Sunday helped his national team to secure the Nation’s League for the second time four years after the Nation’s League was unveiled.

Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr in December 2022 on a record-breaking deal, has played a transformative role both on and off the pitch.

His arrival marked a turning point for Saudi football, drawing global attention to the Saudi Pro League and triggering a wave of high-profile signings across the league.

During his time at Al Nassr so far, Ronaldo has delivered impressive performances, scoring consistently and helping the club remain competitive at the top level. His presence has not only boosted the club’s visibility but also played a key role in the league’s growing popularity worldwide.

The announcement of his continued stay is seen as a significant boost for Al Nassr and the Saudi Pro League as a whole. It also signals Ronaldo’s long-term commitment to the ambitious football project unfolding in the region.

Sports

Brazil Star, Neymar Tests Positive For COVID-19

Published

1 week ago

June 8, 2025

Editor

Brazil forward Neymar has been sidelined after testing positive for COVID-19, Santos announced in a statement cited by Brazilian media.

The 33-year-old began showing symptoms on Thursday and was immediately withdrawn from all team activities. Medical tests later confirmed the viral infection, the Brazil Serie A club said on Saturday.

Santos did not specify how long Neymar will be out of action and did not respond immediately to a Reuters request for comment.

Neymar is already set to miss Thursday’s league match at Fortaleza due to suspension.

That Fortaleza game will be Santos’ final fixture before the Brazilian league pauses for the Club World Cup in the United States, scheduled from June 14 to July 13.

The former Barcelona forward’s future with Santos remains uncertain as his contract expires on June 30.

Limited by injury, Neymar has made 12 appearances across all competitions this season, tallying three goals and three assists.

Sports

Osimhen Rejects Al Hilal 5th Offer, Wants To Stay In Europe

Published

1 week ago

June 8, 2025

Editor

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has officially turned down a fifth offer from Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal, reaffirming his desire to remain in Europe.

In a post shared via X (formerly Twitter) handle, journalist Buchi Laba. Laba revealed that Osimhen has shut the door on any potential move to Saudi Arabia, regardless of the financial incentives.

“Victor Osimhen officially rejects Al Hilal 5th offer,” Laba wrote. “He has decided to not move there no matter the money offered. Case closed.”

Osimhen, who has been a subject of transfer speculation in recent months, appears to be in no rush to make a decision about his next move.

Sources close to the player suggest that his main priority is to continue his career in Europe, where he feels more competitively challenged.

“Main priority is to stay back in Europe,” Laba added, noting that “a top Italian club [is] very interested and other European clubs” are also keeping tabs on the Nigerian forward.

The 26-year-old Napoli star has been linked with several clubs across Europe, including teams in the Premier League and Serie A.

However, he is reportedly taking his time to evaluate the best sporting project before making his next move.

Osimhen was instrumental in Napoli’s Serie A title win in the 2022/23 season and also helped Galatasaray to a domestic double during his loan spell in Turkey last season.