FIFPro, the worldwide players’ union, and FIFA have announced the 20 defenders shortlisted for the FIFA FIFPro World XI 2014 as part of the final 55-man shortlist to be revealed on December 1, 2014.
Two days after the unveiling of the five goalkeepers who made the shortlist, the 20 defenders are now known and will be followed by the 15 midfielders and 15 forwards, due to be announced and published on FIFA.com on November 28 and December 1respectively.
The FIFA FIFPro World XI is decided by the players, for the players.
It involves votes from tens of thousands professional footballers worldwide.
They select one goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards.
FIFPro and its national affiliates are responsible for gathering votes from professional footballers worldwide.
It is the only global award that truly represents the views of those who play the beautiful game.
The shortlisted defenders are: David Alaba (Austria / FC Bayern München)Jordi Alba (Spain / FC Barcelona), Dani Alves (Brazil / FC Barcelona), Jerome Boateng (Germany / FC Bayern München), Daniel Carvajal (Spain / Real Madrid CF), David Luiz (Brazil / Paris St-Germain FC), Filipe Luis (Brazil / Chelsea FC), Diego Godin (Uruguay / Atlético Madrid).
Others are: Mats Hummels (Germany / Borussia Dortmund), Branislav Ivanovic (Serbia / Chelsea FC), Vincent Kompany (Belgium / Manchester City FC), Philipp Lahm (Germany / FC Bayern München), Marcelo (Brazil / Real Madrid CF)
Javier Mascherano (Argentina / FC Barcelona), Pepe (Portugal / Real Madrid CF)
Gerard Pique (Spain / FC Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Spain / Real Madrid CF)
Thiago Silva (Brazil / Paris St-Germain FC), Raphael Varane (France / Real Madrid CF)
And Pablo Zabaleta (Argentina / Manchester City FC).
The final FIFA FIFPro World XI will then be announced at the FIFA Ballon d’Or award ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich on January 12, 2015.
During the televised ceremony, the winner of the FIFA Ballon d’Or for the best player of 2014 and the winner of the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year 2014 award will also be revealed, while the FIFA World Coach of the Year awards for men’s and women’s football will be presented for the fifth time.
The FIFA Puskás Award for the best goal of the year, the FIFA Presidential Award and the FIFA Fair Play Award will also be presented during the award ceremony.