Arsene Wenger visits Man City to present players with their FIFA FIFPro awards… after SIX of Pep Guardiola’s Treble-winning side made the Men’s World 11 selection
- Six Man City stars have made FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11 thanks to Treble success
- Arsène Wenger visited the club to present prizes to four of the six players
- The great rivalry between Klopp and Guardiola: who will come out on top in their last ever league match? Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger was in Manchester City on Thursday to present six players with their FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11 awards.
Unsurprisingly, Pep Guardiola’s side dominated the team after their Treble-winning exploits last season.
More than 28,000 professional footballers cast their votes on who should be included in the team, with six Manchester City stars and three England players making up the team.
Wenger, who won three league titles at Man City’s rivals Arsenal, presented awards to Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and John Stones on Thursday.
Ruben Dias and Kyle Walker were also part of the XI, but had already received their awards at The Best FIFA Football Awards in January.
Arsène Wenger (right of Erling Haaland) visited Man City to present prizes to four of their six players who made it to the FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11
Wenger also presented awards to Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones and Bernardo Silva
Ruben Dias and Kyle Walker received their awards in January during The Best FIFA Football Awards
Wenger, FIFA’s global football chief, said: ‘Manchester City had an incredible season, they were the dominant team domestically and in Europe.
“That’s right, the majority of the top 11 men’s players in the world came from there, so we’re happy to recognize that with these awards. But all the players and coaches did a fantastic job.
‘It just confirms that they have been top. Last year they combined efficiency with athleticism, they were very good to watch.
‘Of course they topped off the year by winning the FIFA Club World Cup in Jeddah. They were the superior team in the league, and that was a result of the success they enjoyed before.
‘The facilities at the club are excellent, you want to create the best possible environment for the players and they have that. They also add quality upon quality and that pays off in the end.’
Jude Bellingham was the only non-Man City defender or midfielder to make the XI, thanks to his excellent season with Borussia Dortmund.
Jude Bellingham was the only non-Man City player to play in defense or midfield for the nominated team
Kylian Mbappe (pictured), Lionel Messi, Thibaut Courtois and Vinicius Jnr completed the XI
His Real Madrid teammates Thibaut Courtois and Vinicius Jnr made the squad, while Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi completed the team.
Messi’s place in the team meant he extended his record number of inclusions to a whopping 17.
The Inter Miami star also won the Ballon d’Or and the Best FIFA Men’s Player award – largely thanks to his role in helping Argentina win the World Cup midway through last season.
Man City turn their attention to a huge top-of-the-table draw against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
Guardiola’s side could go top with a win in what will be Guardiola’s final Premier League meeting with outgoing Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
