The year 2023 marked another astounding chapter for the illustrious Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese maestro recently crowned the highest goal-scorer of the year, has registered his name in the 23-player shortlist for the prestigious 2023 FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World XI. While Manchester City players dominate the list of nominees, the return of Ronaldo to the starting eleven has created a buzz among fans.

The 38-year-old star, who was snubbed in last year’s FIFPRO World XI lineup, made a resounding comeback this year with Al-Nassr and Portugal. Let’s uncover the lineup nominations for this year’s best players.

Cristiano Ronaldo earns the FIFPro World XI nomination!

Amidst Manchester City’s formidable presence, having secured five titles, Cristiano Ronaldo found his way onto the list of the best players in 2023. The Al-Nassr talisman’s journey in 2023 has been nothing short of extraordinary, and this win could add another jewel to his illustrious soccer career.

Unveiling the supremacy of Manchester City, a staggering eight stars from the club have claimed their spot on the list. The likes of Ederson, John Stones, Kyle Walker, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gündogan (now with Barcelona), Rodri, Bernardo Silva, and the formidable Erling Haaland showcase the club’s prowess. As Guardiola’s men completed their remarkable season with five trophies, these players will inevitably dominate the final lineup.

The enduring legacy of Real Madrid also persists with the inclusion of veterans like Luka Modrić, Karim Benzema, Vinicius Jr., Eder Militao, and Antonio Rüdiger. With Lionel Messi also making a surprise presence in the nominees, the anticipation has increased further.

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The final World XI will consist of a goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders, and three forwards, and one player is selected on a different basis. As per FIFPRO, over 28,000 soccer professional soccer players have voted for their team of the year. The FIFPRO World XI is the only global soccer award decided exclusively by professional soccer players. The FIFPRO and FIFA will announce the World XI on Monday, 15th January at The Best FIFA Football Awards in London. Cristiano Ronaldo will be aiming to add one more to his bag.

It will be interesting to see who makes the final lineup of the best soccer players on the planet. All eyes will be on Ronaldo and Messi to see if the legendary icons can still prove their dominance. Do you think Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will grab their spot in the final eleven? Let us know in the comments section!

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