Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe have all been named on FIFA s FIFPro Men s Team of the Year 26-player shortlist for 2022.
Ronaldo s inclusion was arguably the major surprise after a difficult back half to the year where he was dropped by both Manchester United and Portugal, ultimately parting ways with the Red Devils in November.
The Portuguese star has made the Team of the Year, along with Messi, every year since 2007, but will face stiff competition among the forwards alongside Erling Haaland, Mbappe, Neymar, Robert Lewandowski and reigning Ballon d Or winner Karim Benzema.
Last year, four forwards were named in the final XI; Ronaldo, Haaland, Lewandowski and Messi.
World Cup stars Jude Bellingham and Enzo Fernandez are named in the sh…