Fans fume ‘might as well pick EFL players’ as Cristiano Ronaldo nominated for FifPro World XI after stunning Saudi form
CRISTIANO RONALDO has been nominated for the FifPro World XI after his stunning form in Saudi Arabia.
However, fans have been left fuming with the news he has been nominated for the annual best XI.
Ronaldo completed a free transfer to Al-Nassr last January after leaving Manchester United.
His form in 2023 has seen him included in FifPro’s 23-man shortlist voted for by his fellow players.
He is one of seven forwards nominated for the team, alongside Karim Benzema, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Vinicius Jr.
Fans were unimpressed with Ronaldo’s inclusion, though, and took to social media to fume at the list.
One supporter wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Why not pick some players from Sky Bet Championship EFL League since you selected players from the Saudi Arabia league.”
Another added: “No Victor Osimhen. African best male footballer of the year. No Salah, no Allison, but you rushed to the Saudi Arabia league.”
A third fan also raged: “Putting Ronaldo on that list is crazy.”
Meanwhile, one more asked: “Ronaldo and Benzema????”
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Ronaldo scored 38 goals and provided 13 assists in 44 appearances for Al-Nassr in 2023.
20 of those goals have come during the current Saudi Pro League season, making him the league’s leading scorer.
He also scored 10 goals for Portugal during their successful Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
The 38-year-old’s form in front of goal also saw him end the year as the world’s top-scoring player.
Ronaldo has previously been named in the FifPro World XI on 14 occasions, but missed out last year for the first time since 2007.
He has also won their best player award five times during his illustrious career.