FIFPro World XI didn't have a Premier League player, but why four from Real Madrid when they didn't win anything?

Home Top

So much for boring United: Rooney back to his best but local hero Dummett piles pressure on Van Gaal as thunderbolt settles thriller
'I'm very, very sad. Lingard and Fellaini had big chances... We threw it away': Irate Van Gaal slams wasteful United after Newcastle comeback
Eddie's bloodbath: New England coach Jones to ditch World Cup flops with 13 new faces set for Six Nations squad
Shearer makes radio debut and questions Shelvey's attitude after Newcastle sign £12m midfielder
Boring? 'Loads better', says Scholes despite watching United squander lead
MARTIN SAMUEL: We may think we know the cheats but we haven't proof to back it up... records have to stand
De Bruyne had an agreement to join Bayern Munich before his £54m move to City, reveals Belgian star's agent
Liverpool goalkeeper Mignolet poised to sign contract extension at Anfield
Wipe the record books: Pressure on Coe as European Athletics get set to follow UKA lead and examine results
Did Mike Dean get the three big penalty calls right? Key decisions divide football experts as former ref Webb is at odds with BT panel
IAN LADYMAN: Great United teams never looked as though they had lost until final whistle... yet this team look like they have never won
Splashing cash on Shelvey shows Ashley is aware of Newcastle's predicament... but there are signs of hope following draw with United
Six goal thriller shreds the nerves of under-fire bosses at St James' Park
RATINGS: Rooney back at his best with a brace but Smalling struggles
United defender Smalling downbeat after Newcastle draw: 'It feels like we lost the game... we must be stronger'
Pellegrini: Kompany might not be back for Man City until later on this season
Payet pulls strings as Valencia's knuckleball fires West Ham up to fifth after coming from behind to beat big-spending Bournemouth
Villa win for first time since last August! Hennessey howler ends hosts' 19-game winless run to give Garde hope of safety
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Jones could change England captain each game... there's no rush to appoint someone
It's on! McGregor to fight Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 197 as 'Notorious' bids to become two-weight world champion
FA plan to buy off blazers as councillor anger threatens Dyke's chances of being elected for another year
Lionel King: Messi shows off Ballon d'Or haul at home after Barcelona superstar is presented with brand new platinum boots
Ronaldo's sister enraged as star's statue in Portugal is defaced with 'Messi 10' graffiti, just hours after Ballon d'Or loss
MARTIN SAMUEL: FIFPro World XI didn't include a single Premier League player... so, why were four from Real in when they didn't win anything?

The FIFPro World XI once again did not feature a Premier League player
Barcelona had four representatives, but so too did Real Madrid
Looking at La Liga, Real may not even be the best in their own city

By Martin Samuel - Sport for the Daily Mail

Published: 18:02 EST, 12 January 2016 | Updated: 18:02 EST, 12 January 2016

View
comments

Once again, the FIFPro World XI does not include a Premier League or English player. Yet a quick glance at who is in suggests we should not be too downhearted.

The 20,000 professional footballers polled appear to have voted like star-struck 11-year-olds at the PlayStation controls. There are only five clubs represented, with one player each from Bayern Munich, Juventus and Paris Saint-German and four from Barcelona. That leaves another quartet outstanding — all from Real Madrid. Seriously? A 4-4 draw, with Barcelona, in 2015. How does that work?

In the time considered, Barcelona have won the Champions League, La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup. Real Madrid have won zip. Barcelona have played Real Madrid twice, winning 2-1 at home and 4-0 away. Barcelona have lost six times in all competitions; Real Madrid 12.

The FIFA FIFPro World XI was announced with no room for a Premier League player in the side

Marcelo and Sergio Ramos were joined by Luka Modric and Ronaldo in the team of the year

(left to right) Ramos, Marcelo , Modric and Ronaldo pose with their FIFPro World XI trophies at training

They are not equals right now. There is a clear with The FIFA inner.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence is understandable, but is Marcelo the best left back or Sergio Ramos the outstanding centre half? And why nobody from Atletico Madrid?

Looking at the La Liga table, Real’s players may not even be the best in the capital, let alone the world.