• Alisson Becker (Liverpool) - Brought the level of goalkeeping quality Liverpool had been needing for years. Rewarded with a Champions League winners medal. Worthy? Yes. PA Wire.
    Alisson Becker (Liverpool) - Brought the level of goalkeeping quality Liverpool had been needing for years. Rewarded with a Champions League winners medal. Worthy? Yes. PA Wire.
  • Matthijs de Ligt (Juventus) - Defied his tender age as Ajax stormed to the latter stages of the Champion League and earnt himself a big-money move to Serie A. Set to be one of the world's top defenders for the next decade. Worthy? Yes. Getty Images
    Matthijs de Ligt (Juventus) - Defied his tender age as Ajax stormed to the latter stages of the Champion League and earnt himself a big-money move to Serie A. Set to be one of the world's top defenders for the next decade. Worthy? Yes. Getty Images
  • Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) His selection must have been based on his goalscoring rather than his defending. He netted 18 times in 51 appearances in all competitions, including seven for Spain. Picked up 14 yellow cards and one red as Real leaked 46 league goals - the most in the La Liga top five last season. Worthy? No. Getty Images
    Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) His selection must have been based on his goalscoring rather than his defending. He netted 18 times in 51 appearances in all competitions, including seven for Spain. Picked up 14 yellow cards and one red as Real leaked 46 league goals - the most in the La Liga top five last season. Worthy? No. Getty Images
  • Marcelo (Real Madrid) - In and out of the team during last season amid a loss of form. Compare that to the performance of Liverpool's Andrew Robertson or Trent Alexander-Arnold and it's a no-brainer for who shouldn't have the full-back slot. Worthy? No. AFP
    Marcelo (Real Madrid) - In and out of the team during last season amid a loss of form. Compare that to the performance of Liverpool's Andrew Robertson or Trent Alexander-Arnold and it's a no-brainer for who shouldn't have the full-back slot. Worthy? No. AFP
  • Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) That he wasn't dribbled past for more than a year says it all. The best defender in the world and unfortunate not to win the individual award. Worthy? Absolutely. Getty Images
    Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) That he wasn't dribbled past for more than a year says it all. The best defender in the world and unfortunate not to win the individual award. Worthy? Absolutely. Getty Images
  • Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona) The driving force behind Ajax's Champions League surge. Expect to see him in many future world teams. Worthy? Yes. Getty Images
    Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona) The driving force behind Ajax's Champions League surge. Expect to see him in many future world teams. Worthy? Yes. Getty Images
  • Eden Hazard (Real Madrid) - Supreme for Chelsea and an absolute joy to watch. A scorer of great goals, his form will return once he gets going at Real Madrid. Worthy? Yes. AP Photo
    Eden Hazard (Real Madrid) - Supreme for Chelsea and an absolute joy to watch. A scorer of great goals, his form will return once he gets going at Real Madrid. Worthy? Yes. AP Photo
  • Luka Modric (Real Madrid) - Last year's winner failed to reach such heights as he was hit by his club's malaise as much as anyone. Now 34, he's likely past his best and surely Kevin de Bruyne was a better option despite spells out injured. Worthy? No AFP
    Luka Modric (Real Madrid) - Last year's winner failed to reach such heights as he was hit by his club's malaise as much as anyone. Now 34, he's likely past his best and surely Kevin de Bruyne was a better option despite spells out injured. Worthy? No AFP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) - A Serie A title in his first season in Italy and 31 goals in 47 appearances in all matches was a decent return, though short of some of his previous campaigns. Mohamed Salah arguably achieved more. Worthy? Yes, but only just. Getty Images
    Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) - A Serie A title in his first season in Italy and 31 goals in 47 appearances in all matches was a decent return, though short of some of his previous campaigns. Mohamed Salah arguably achieved more. Worthy? Yes, but only just. Getty Images
  • Kylian Mbappe (PSG) - A goal machine all year round with 42 in 51 appearances last season. The Frenchman will surely win the individual award before too long. Worthy? Yes. AFP
    Kylian Mbappe (PSG) - A goal machine all year round with 42 in 51 appearances last season. The Frenchman will surely win the individual award before too long. Worthy? Yes. AFP
  • Lionel Messi (Barcelona) There's no argument here. He should get in any best XI. 54 goals in 58 games is a super-human effort. Worthy? The most worthy of them all. Getty Images
    Lionel Messi (Barcelona) There's no argument here. He should get in any best XI. 54 goals in 58 games is a super-human effort. Worthy? The most worthy of them all. Getty Images

Football

Sergio Ramos, Marcelo and Luka Modric? Puzzling choices for Fifa Best Men's World XI

See the slideshow below for our view on who was worthy of a place and who wasn't

Ian Oxborrow
Ian Oxborrow

September 24, 2019

  • English
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Real Madrid won the Fifa Club World Cup last season, but other than that is was a barren campaign for the Spanish giants. Third in La Liga, semi-finalists in the Copa del Ray and they only reached the Round of 16 in the Champions League.

That they went through three managers (Julen Lopetegui, Santiago Solari and Zinedine Zidane) during the season speaks volumes of what a disaster it was. And the new season hasn't started too smoothly either.

Yet as the names were read out at the star-studded Fifa Best Awards at Milan's Teatro alla Scala for the Men's World XI, there were not one, not two, but three Real Madrid players from last year's horror show - plus new signing Eden Hazard, but he's exempt from any blame.

Puzzled football fans took to social media to voice their surprise at seeing defenders Sergio Ramos and Marcelo in the team, along with midfielder Luka Modric.

Many were also confused by the lack of any Manchester City players in the team following their Premier League success last season and general domination of English football.

Similarly, Champions League winner Mohamed Salah came fourth in the voting for Best Men's Player but didn't make the team, while his Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane was also absent despite coming fifth.

See the slideshow at the top showing who we thought was worthy of a place in the team and who wasn't.

  • Argentinian player Lionel Messi and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp shake hands. EPA
    Argentinian player Lionel Messi and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp shake hands. EPA
  • Lionel Messi poses with his family during the Best FIFA Football Awards. EPA
    Lionel Messi poses with his family during the Best FIFA Football Awards. EPA
  • (From left) USA's midfielder Rose Lavelle, US and Orlando Pride forward Alex Morgan, US and Reign FC midfielder Megan Rapinoe and Brazil and Orlando Pride forward, Marta attend the presentation of the FIFA FIFPRO Women's World Eleven Team during The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony, on September 23, 2019 in Milan. AFP
    (From left) USA's midfielder Rose Lavelle, US and Orlando Pride forward Alex Morgan, US and Reign FC midfielder Megan Rapinoe and Brazil and Orlando Pride forward, Marta attend the presentation of the FIFA FIFPRO Women's World Eleven Team during The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony, on September 23, 2019 in Milan. AFP
  • Ronaldo attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
    Ronaldo attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
  • Barcelona's Dutch midfielder Frenkie De Jong and his girlfriend Mikky Kiemeney arrive. AFP
    Barcelona's Dutch midfielder Frenkie De Jong and his girlfriend Mikky Kiemeney arrive. AFP
  • Real Madrid's Marcelo attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
    Real Madrid's Marcelo attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
  • Ajax's Donny van de Beek attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
    Ajax's Donny van de Beek attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
  • Marc-André ter Stegen attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019 at the Teatro Alla Scala. Getty Images
    Marc-André ter Stegen attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019 at the Teatro Alla Scala. Getty Images
  • Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric with his wife Vanja Bosnic and their children Ivano and Ema arrive for The Best FIFA Football Awards. AFP
    Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric with his wife Vanja Bosnic and their children Ivano and Ema arrive for The Best FIFA Football Awards. AFP
  • Argentina and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi arrives for The Best FIFA Football Awards. AFP
    Argentina and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi arrives for The Best FIFA Football Awards. AFP
  • Real Madrid and Spain defender Sergio Ramos arrives with his partner Pilar Rubio. AFP
    Real Madrid and Spain defender Sergio Ramos arrives with his partner Pilar Rubio. AFP
  • (From left) Belgium and Real Madrid forward, Eden Hazard, Brazilian and Real Madrid defender Marcelo, Spain and Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos and Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric. AFP
    (From left) Belgium and Real Madrid forward, Eden Hazard, Brazilian and Real Madrid defender Marcelo, Spain and Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos and Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric. AFP
  • US and Orlando Pride forward Alex Morgan arrives for The Best FIFA Football Awards. AFP
    US and Orlando Pride forward Alex Morgan arrives for The Best FIFA Football Awards. AFP
  • Kylian Mbappé attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
    Kylian Mbappé attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
  • Portuguese coah Jose Mourinho presents the trophy for the Best FIFA Women's Coach of 2019 Award. AFP
    Portuguese coah Jose Mourinho presents the trophy for the Best FIFA Women's Coach of 2019 Award. AFP
  • Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino attends The Best FIFA Football Awards. Getty Images
    Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino attends The Best FIFA Football Awards. Getty Images
  • Liverpool's Alisson Becker of Brazil receives the Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper award. EPA
    Liverpool's Alisson Becker of Brazil receives the Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper award. EPA
  • Carles Puyol attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
    Carles Puyol attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
  • Cristian Vieri and Costanza Caracciolo attend The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
    Cristian Vieri and Costanza Caracciolo attend The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
  • Hugo Sánchez attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
    Hugo Sánchez attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
  • Julio Cesar, Roberto Carlos and Gilberto Silva attend The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
    Julio Cesar, Roberto Carlos and Gilberto Silva attend The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
  • Samuel Eto'o attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
    Samuel Eto'o attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
  • Marcel Desailly attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
    Marcel Desailly attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
  • Argentinian Lionel Messi receives the The Best FIFA Men's Player award from FIFA president Gianni Infantino. EPA
    Argentinian Lionel Messi receives the The Best FIFA Men's Player award from FIFA president Gianni Infantino. EPA
  • Megan Rapinoe receives The Best FIFA Women's Player of the Year award by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Getty Images
    Megan Rapinoe receives The Best FIFA Women's Player of the Year award by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Getty Images
  • Ivan Zamorano and Javier Zanett The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019 at the Teatro Alla Scala. Getty Images
    Ivan Zamorano and Javier Zanett The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019 at the Teatro Alla Scala. Getty Images
  • FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks on stage during The Best FIFA Football Awards. Getty Images
    FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks on stage during The Best FIFA Football Awards. Getty Images
  • Demetrio Albertini attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019 at the Teatro Alla Scala. Getty Images
    Demetrio Albertini attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019 at the Teatro Alla Scala. Getty Images
  • Santiago Solari attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
    Santiago Solari attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
  • Fabio Capello attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
    Fabio Capello attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
  • Peter Schmeichel attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
    Peter Schmeichel attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
  • Youssou N'Dour (R) attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
    Youssou N'Dour (R) attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019. Getty Images
  • Best FIFA Women's Coach of 2019, USA head coach Jill Ellis (left) and Best FIFA Men's Coach of 2019 Liverpool coach, Germany's Jurgen Klopp pose at the end of The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony. AFP
    Best FIFA Women's Coach of 2019, USA head coach Jill Ellis (left) and Best FIFA Men's Coach of 2019 Liverpool coach, Germany's Jurgen Klopp pose at the end of The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony. AFP
  • FIFPro Women's World 11 Players of the Year pose during The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019 at the Teatro alla Scala. Getty Images
    FIFPro Women's World 11 Players of the Year pose during The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019 at the Teatro alla Scala. Getty Images
  • Dutch player Frenkie de Jong (centre), Argentina and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi (right) and Brazilian and Real Madrid defender Marcelo. AFP
    Dutch player Frenkie de Jong (centre), Argentina and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi (right) and Brazilian and Real Madrid defender Marcelo. AFP
  • FIFA FIFPro Men's World 11 Players of the Year (L-R) Alisson, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo Vieira, Lionel Messi, Frenkie de Jong, Eden Hazard, Kylian Mbappe, Luka Modric, Virgil van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt. Getty Images
    FIFA FIFPro Men's World 11 Players of the Year (L-R) Alisson, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo Vieira, Lionel Messi, Frenkie de Jong, Eden Hazard, Kylian Mbappe, Luka Modric, Virgil van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt. Getty Images
  • Artists perform during the Best FIFA Football Awards. EPA
    Artists perform during the Best FIFA Football Awards. EPA
  • Women top eleven team during the Best FIFA Football Awards. EPA
    Women top eleven team during the Best FIFA Football Awards. EPA
  • Lionel Messi poses after winning the Best FIFA Men's player award with the winner of the Best FIFA Men's coach award Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, winner of the Best FIFA Women's player award USA women's Megan Rapinoe and the winner of the Best FIFA Women's coach award USA women's coach Jill Ellis. Reuters
    Lionel Messi poses after winning the Best FIFA Men's player award with the winner of the Best FIFA Men's coach award Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, winner of the Best FIFA Women's player award USA women's Megan Rapinoe and the winner of the Best FIFA Women's coach award USA women's coach Jill Ellis. Reuters

Here's the list of the other award winners on the night:

Men's Player: Lionel Messi
Women's Player: Megan Rapinoe
Men's Coach: Jurgen Klopp
Women's Coach: Jill Elliss
Women's Goalkeeper: Alisson
Women's Goalkeeper: Sari van Veenendaal
Puskás Award: Daniel Zsori
Fan Award: Silvia Grecco
Fair Play Award: Marcelo Bielsa

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