Fifteen forwards shortlisted for FIFA FIFPro World XI

FIFPro, the worldwide players’ union, and FIFA today announced the 15 forwards shortlisted for the FIFA FIFPro World XI 2014 (see list below) to complete the final 55-player shortlist. After the unveiling of the five goalkeepers, 20 defenders and 15 midfielders who made the shortlist, the 15 forwards to be added to it are now also known.

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. For more information on the voting procedure can be found on the FIFPro website.

The forward shortlist is: (home country / club)

Sergio Aguero (Argentina / Manchester City FC)
Gareth Bale (Wales / Real Madrid CF)
Karim Benzema (France / Real Madrid CF)
Diego Costa (Spain / Chelsea FC)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal / Real Madrid CF)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden / Paris Saint-Germain FC)
Robert Lewandowski (Poland / FC Bayern München)
Lionel Messi (Argentina / FC Barcelona)
Thomas Muller (Germany / FC Bayern München)
Neymar (Brazil / FC Barcelona)
Marco Reus (Germany / Borussia Dortmund)
Arjen Robben (Netherlands / FC Bayern München)
Franck Ribery (France / FC Bayern München)
Wayne Rooney (England / Manchester United FC)
Luis Suarez (Uruguay / FC Barcelona)

The final FIFA FIFPro World XI will then be announced at the FIFA Ballon d’Or award ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich on 12 January 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.