Congratulations Coutinho!
Our Brazilian has been named on a shortlist of 50 by FIFA for the World XI, which is selected every year and is usually made up entirely of Barcelona and Real Madrid players!
The likes of Messi, Ronaldo, Ramos, Iniesta are selected on an annual basis, meaning there’s little room for outsiders to earn a spot.
The nomination will be a proud moment for our no.10, but part of us thinks it has more to do with his name being bandied about so often during the transfer window, as well as his strong performances for his country, than it does his admittedly excellent end to last season.
Congratulations @LFC. @Phil_Coutinho has been nominated for the @World11. Well-deserved! pic.twitter.com/0Rn8uMLa7U
— FIFA FIFPro World 11 (@World11) September 20, 2017
As a result, there’s been some backlash online as to FIFA’s decision not to shortlist Sadio Mane.
Our Senegalese was probably our best player last term and has been key this campaign – as proven by how badly we’ve struggled without him during his Premier League ban.
In fact, no African has been nominated, which for us is disappointing, especially considering Naby Keita’s mind-boggling season for Rb Leipzig.
But as always, these things seem like more of a popularity contest than anything else.
Seriously no Mane, But Pogba gets in
— Matty nicholls (@XX_PINGERS_XX) September 20, 2017
lol how’s Coutinho over Mane
— Aaron💥 (@IconicFirmino) September 20, 2017
Mane wasn’t linked with Barcelona so he must be shit…
— Jämie. (@SalahEnthusiast) September 20, 2017
Coutinho but not Mane lmao. Further proves they’re just popularity contests
— . (@BrxhimDiaz) September 20, 2017
Mane over Coutinho… he’s simply Liverpool’s best player last season
— Jassvalliss (@Sam72_Etihad) September 20, 2017
Mané also been robbed, he’s been better than Coutinho
— JS (@Pepological) September 20, 2017