FIFPro World XI Shortlist 2011: 10 Players Who Should've Made the Cut

Despite Borussia Dortmund winning the Bundesliga last season, not one of their players is on the rather farcical 2011 FIFPro World XI Shortlist, made up of 55 players from across the world.

The nominees for the shortlist were voted for by the 50,000 professional footballers worldwide from the various players' unions which make up FIFPro.

And it seems most of the nominations were merely chosen as many young footballers' idols, more so than who the best and most in-form players in world football at the moment are.

Hence why the unspectacular likes of John Terry, Alessandro Nesta, Lucio, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Gianluigi Buffon have continued to receive nominations. 

Here are 10 players who should have been shortlisted.

David De Gea

Whilst Manchester United 'keeper David De Gea has made a few blunders this season, the Spain U-21 international was vital for Atletico Madrid in La Liga last season, and was crucial for the Spanish U-21s in winning the European Championship this summer.

Such is his talent, United saw fit to replace the legendary Edwin Van Der Sar, who is shortlisted for the World XI despite being retired, with a 20-year-old for a whopping £18.9million.

And this term, despite a few aforementioned errors, he's kept up his fine form, having the highest shots to saves ratio in the Premier League, and having made the fourth highest amount of saves, 50, which is better the more "in-form" goalkeepers at the moment including Joe Hart, Michel Vorm and Asmir Begovic.

Bacary Sagna

Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna has for the past few seasons proved himself as not only one of the best right-backs in the Premier League, but also the world.

Defensively he's been stellar both last season and this term, winning many tackles, making numerous interceptions and virtually always clearing his lines.

And in attack he hasn't been bad either, having made three assists last season and created another 24 direct goalscoring chances, as well as whacking in at least one accurate cross per game.

Such stats rack up well against any full-back in the game today.

Mats Hummels

Fast emerging as one of, if not the best, centre-backs in world football today, it's incredible how the likes of Rio Ferdinand and David Luiz were picked over Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels.

The 22-year-old Germany international was absolutely vital in his team's efforts as they won the Bundesliga last season, with his imposing aerial ability, tough tackling, and ability to break up play marking him out as a young Franz Beckenbauer.

It was because of Hummels, and his centre-back partner, Dortmund conceded only 22 league goals in 2010/11.

Neven Subotic

And that all-important centre-back partner to Mats Hummels is Neven Subotic, another man who should have made the short list.

Like Hummels, Serbia international Subotic excelled with his stellar defensive displays, clearing his lines expertly, as well as making a remarkable amount of well-timed, accurate tackles as well as interceptions with his brilliant reading of the opposition's game.

He's also possibly the best player in the world at winning offsides, having caught the opposition attacker offside 50 times last season.

Nuri Sahin

He may not be getting much of a chance at Real Madrid this term, but Nuri Sahin was quite possibly the main reason Borussia Dortmund won the league title last season.

In 30 league matches last season, Turkey international Sahin scored six times and made eight assists, but more tellingly won seven man of the match awards, and created more direct goalscoring chances for teammates than any other player in the Bundesliga, at a rate of 3.5 key passes per game.

That sort of form deserves to be recognised.

Mario Goetze

Quite how one of the most hyped players in a generation isn't considered one of the best in world football is more than a little bemusing.

The fourth Borussia Dortmund player on this list, 19-year-old Mario Goetze has set the sport alight over the past year, emerging onto the scene as one of Germany's best ever talents.

Six goals and 11 assists in 33 league games from midfield as a 19-year-old last season is nothing to be sniffed at, especially considering it was done in the Bundesliga.

Add to that 83 direct goalscoring chances created for teammates, and 51 dribbles completed, and it becomes more than a little mind-boggling as to why Goetze isn't on the FIFPro World XI Shortlist for 2011.

Eden Hazard

Okay, no more Borussia Dortmund players, rather another massively-hyped talent who was Ligue 1's best player last season at just 20 years of age.

Eden Hazard was, and still is, phenomenal for French league champions Lille OSC. Last season, he featured in every single league game, scoring seven goals from the wing and making ten assists, on the way to winning five "man of the match" awards.

He also created 100 direct goalscoring chances for teammates, and was easily the most flashy and exciting player not just in the league, but in Europe as he completed 101 dribbles.

Another silly omission from the shortlist.

Hulk

FC Porto striker Hulk, or Givanildo Vieira de Souza if you prefer to call him by his "real" name, was possibly the most important piece in the jigsaw last season for Andre Villas-Boas as he took the Dragons to an unprecedented treble.

While Radamel Falcao, who is shortlisted, did the business for Porto in the UEFA Europa League, it was Hulk who did the work in the league, scoring 23 goals and making 13 assists in just 26 league games to ensure it was Porto who took the crown as Portugal's best team.

The Brazilian also chipped in elsewhere, and ended the season with 36 goals and 21 assists from 53 games, meaning on average he made at least one direct goalscoring contribution in every single game he played.

And when you do that, you at least deserve to be recognised as one of the 55 best players in world football.

Antonio Di Natale

He plays for Udinese, therefore he must be s***. That's what it would appear world football thinks, as poor old Antonio Di Natale rarely ever gets the recognition he deserves.

Last season he scored 28 goals in Serie A, more than both Edinson Cavani and Samuel Eto'o, two players who have been shortlisted. He also made seven assists, again more than Cavani.

And this season, he's continued to be better than them, having scored nine league goals in 11 games.

Yet still nobody involved with FIFA, UEFA or FIFPro gives a s***.

Carlos Tevez

Yes, he's now a bit of a nutjob and goes AWOL more times than he scores, or even plays, but Carlos Tevez was the Premier League's top goalscorer last season.

Surely that deserves some recognition?