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

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.
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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).
READ ALSO: Carrick Wants Rooney Back After Sacking
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).
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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.
Sports
EPL: Chelsea Set To Sanction First Summer Transfer Under Alonso

Chelsea are set to sanction their first summer transfer under their new manager, Xabi Alonso.
According to the BBC Sport, the Blues are ‘open’ to selling Filip Jorgensen this summer after the goalkeeper indicated his desire to leave Stamford Bridge.
Jorgensen joined the Premier League west London club two seasons ago from Villarreal.
READ ALSO:EPL: Maresca Signs Three-year Contract To Replace Guardiola At Man City
The 24-year-old shot-stopper was expected to compete for the number one position with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, but he made just 11 Premier League appearances over the two seasons.
However, while the arrival of Alonso to Stamford Bridge could lead to a change in fortunes for Jorgensen, the report added that the Danish star has already expressed his desire to leave Chelsea this summer to get more regular playing game-time elsewhere.
Chelsea had blocked a potential exit for Jorgensen in the January transfer window, but the Premier League west London club are now open to a sale, with European and English clubs expected to explore a deal for the goalkeeper.
Sports
EPL: ‘Go For Alvarez’ – Paul Merson Hands Arsenal Two Signings To Make

Arsenal legend, Paul Merson, has handed his old club two signings to make in the summer.
Merson wants Arsenal to sign Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez and a new midfielder.
“I would get a centre forward this summer, I would go for Julian Alvarez,” Merson said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast.
READ ALSO: EPL: Why I Rejected €200m Offer To Leave Man Utd – Bruno Fernandes
“I am a big fan. If they could get him, I would. I still think they probably need another midfield player as well.”
Arsenal is expected to bolster its squad in the summer after winning the Premier League title ahead of Manchester City this season.
Sports
EPL: Wayne Rooney Picks Most Improved Player This Season

Manchester United legend, Wayne Rooney, has picked the Red Devils defender Luke Shaw as the most improved player in the Premier League following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.
Speaking on his BBC podcast, Rooney said, “I think, for me, Luke Shaw. I think Luke Shaw has been the most improved player this season.
“I know he is an experienced player now, but I think his level this season has been much better than it has been in recent seasons.
READ ALSO: EPL: Why I Rejected €200m Offer To Leave Man Utd – Bruno Fernandes
“People might look at Kobbie Mainoo but I don’t think he’s improved. It was just the fact he wasn’t playing under the former manager so it wasn’t good or bad.”
Shaw enjoyed one of his most consistent seasons at Man United and started all of Man United’s Premier League games.
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