FIFPro XI: Who did and did NOT deserve their spot in this prestigious team?

FIFPro World XI 2013

The FIFPro World XI for the year 2013 was announced yesterday and it’s fair to say this year’s team had a few surprises. The XI chosen by professional players around the world as the best of 2013 is:

Manuel Neuer; Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, Sergio Ramos, Philipp Lahm; Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Franck Ribery; Lionel Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Cristiano Ronaldo.

On first seeing it, the team looks fair enough. However, a closer examination of the team reveals a few somewhat undeserving candidates. However, let’s first take a look at the players who undoubtedly deserved their spot in the World XI.

Manuel Neuer – The Germany and Bayern #1 has been in excellent form since the beginning of the 2012/13 season and has established himself among the best goalkeepers in the world by putting in countless solid performances in between the sticks. He was a key member of Bayern’s treble-winning side and has been a consistent performer for both club and country. It isn’t unfair to say that Neuer is the best goalkeeper in the world right now.

Thiago Silva - The PSG and Brazil captain has firmly established himself as one of the best centre-backs in the world for a while now and 2013 was another good one for him as he captained PSG to the Ligue 1 title and also led Brazil to a Confederations Cup victory. His inclusion in the XI was no surprise.

Philipp Lahm – Philipp Lahm captained Bayern Munich to a historic treble in the 2012-13 season. He’s also adapted to a defensive midfield role under new manager Pep Guardiola and has even played in that position for the German national team with great effect. The man Guardiola described as “perhaps the most intelligent player I have ever trained in my career” deserves his spot in this XI.

Andres Iniesta – The Spaniard has been a consistent performer for Barcelona and Spain and 2013 was no different. He was an integral part of the La Liga winning Barcelona side and a Spain side that finished 2nd in the Confederations Cup. He has never been a flashy player but no one can doubt his class.

Franck Ribery – The man many thought deserved to win the Ballon d’Or was in fine form throughout the year, notching up plenty of goals and assists that helped Bayern secure the treble. He was a stand-out performer in a Bayern side full of stars and kept up his fine form under Guardiola, so it’s no surprise that he makes the shortlist.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic – He was PSG’s star performer as they secured the Ligue 1 title in 2012/13 and his form has only gotten better this season. Despite the arrival of Edinson Cavani at PSG, the evergreen veteran has still been notching up goals on a fairly regular basis and it was no surprise to see him in the World XI.

Cristiano Ronaldo – The man who eventually won the 2013 Ballon d’Or has been in the form of his life over the past year. Despite not being able to lead Real to another La Liga title he was always among the goals and even helped Portugal beat Sweden over two legs and eventually secure qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Lionel Messi – The Argentine forward led Barcelona to another La Liga trophy in 2012/13 and carried on his fine form under Tata Martino at the beginning of the season. Despite being dogged by injuries, Messi still put in several noteworthy performances and might even consider himself unlucky for missing out on another Ballon d’Or this year.

That leaves three players: Dani Alves, Sergio Ramos and Xavi Hernandez. Let’s take a look at why these 3 didn’t deserve their spot in the FIFPro World XI:

Dani Alves – The Brazilian is among the best full-backs in the world in terms of going forward; however, he can be suspect defensively. He wasn’t anywhere near his best throughout 2013 and it’s baffling that players like David Alaba or even Pablo Zabaleta weren’t voted for ahead of him.

Sergio Ramos – When he’s on form, Ramos is among one of the best ball-playing centre-backs in the world. However, inconsistency and poor form have dogged him for a long time now. He was nowhere near his best during the 2012/13 season and his mixed form has continued this season. Players like Jerome Boateng and Dante were far better last year.

Xavi Hernandez – The veteran midfielder hasn’t been awful by any stretch of the imagination over the last year but there have been players who were better than him. Bastian Schweinsteiger (despite his injury problems), Javi Martinez and Arturo Vidal should have been in that XI ahead of the Spaniard.

Having said all that, my FIFPro World XI of 2013 would be: Manuel Neuer; Philipp Lahm, Thiago Silva, Jerome Boateng, David Alaba; Arturo Vidal, Andres Iniesta, Franck Ribery; Lionel Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Cristiano Ronaldo.