No African Player on World’s Best XI Shortlist

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are still popular and respected by other players, even though they no longer play for European clubs, like the Egyptian Mohamed Salah who is still not among the best players in the world.

Messi, 37, and Ronaldo, 39, were the only players not playing for European clubs to be named on Monday to a 26-man shortlist for the World Team of the Year, organised by global players' union FIFPRO.

The other 24 nominees played last year for clubs in England, Germany, Spain and France, with Kylian Mbappe the only Frenchman on the list after spending last season at Paris Saint-Germain.