FIFA Ultimate Team 2017 Team of the Year officially revealed

FIFPro’s World XI, better known as Team of the Year, was announced Monday at the FIFA Ballon d'Or ceremony in Zürich, Switzerland.

Every year since 2005, FIFPro has invited professional footballers from around the world to vote for the best team of the year, dubbed the FIFPro World XI. At the end of November, FIFPro and FIFA announce the 55-player shortlist together, and in January the votes are counted and the 11-man team is revealed.

Earlier this week, a prediction was surfaced by FIFA community member iGoldenBear from a young person who won a contest for the most accurate Team of the Year prediction. That prediction turned out to be accurate for all players but two: Juventus fullback Dani Alves was named to the squad over PSG’s Thiago Silva and Barcelona’s Luis Suarez was named over teammate Neymar.

Here’s this year’s complete World XI/Team of the Year:

• Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid
• Luis Suarez, Barcelona
• Lionel Messi, Barcelona
• Andres Iniesta, Barcelona
• Luka Modric, Real Madrid
• Toni Kroos, Real Madrid
• Dani Alves, Juventus/Barcelona
• Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid
• Gerard Pique, Barcelona
• Marcelo, Real Madrid
• Manuel Neuer, Bayern Munich

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi were near mortal locks to be in the squad, while the rest of the team was a bit up to debate. Atlético Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann is arguably the biggest snub of the year, as the French forward took his club and country to the finals of both the UEFA Champions League and the European Championships.

Yesterday, Bayern Munich confirmed that their goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, would be traveling to Zürich to attend the ceremonies, all but making his inclusion in the squad official.

Soon after, AS reported that the Real Madrid quintet of winger/striker Cristiano Ronaldo, center-back Sergio Ramos, fullback Marcelo and center midfielders Luka Modric and Toni Kroos were all set to be in attendance in Zurich at tomorrow evening’s World XI banquet, with MARCA later confirming the report.

FIFA’s Team of the Year is in packs starting Monday; forwards are expected to be available through Wednesday. Midfielders should start to appear in packs from Wednesday, and run through Friday. Keepers and defenders are projected to be available Friday. Also note that on Saturday, the full TOTY will be available in packs.