Barcelona dominate FIFA Fifpro World XI defender's nominees
Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos and Pepe have all been named among the 20 candidates for a place in this year’s Fifa Fifpro World XI.
Chelsea captain John Terry, Dortmund’s Mats Hummels and Paris Saint-Germain’s Thiago Silva have also been shortlisted. Giorgio Chiellini is the only Juventus defender selected.
The 50,000 players who belong to the professional footballers’ union Fifpro were each invited to vote in a secret ballot to nominate their favorites for the World XI, choosing the best goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards from 2012.
The nominees for the midfield and forward positions will be revealed on November 26 and 29 respectively, with the final World XI selection announced at the Ballon d’Or award ceremony on January 7, 2013.
Jordi Alba (Spain, Barcelona); Gareth Bale (Wales, Tottenham); Giorgio Chiellini (Italy, Juventus); Ashley Cole (England, Chelsea); Dani Alves (Brazil, Barcelona); David Luiz (Brazil, Chelsea); Patrice Evra (France, Manchester United); Rio Ferdinand (England, Manchester United); Mats Hummels (Germany, Borussia Dortmund); Branislav Ivanovic (Serbia, Chelsea); Vincent Kompany (Belgium, Manchester City); Philipp Lahm (Germany, Bayern Munich), Marcelo (Brazil, Real Madrid); Javier Mascherano (Argentina, Barcelona); Pepe (Portugal, Real Madrid); Gerard Pique (Spain, Barcelona); Carles Puyol (Spain, Barcelona); Sergio Ramos (Spain, Real Madrid); John Terry (England, Chelsea); Thiago Silva (Brazil, Paris Saint-Germain).