This year's FIFPro World XI is to feature a total of six Barcelona and Real Madrid players despite both clubs underperforming.
55 players were in the frame on the initial shortlist but tonight at the Best FIFA Football Awards in Milan it will be whittled down to eleven based on the votes from over 23,000 FIFPro players.
And according to Joaquin Maroto from AS, over half of the team are from La Liga's two big dogs. FIFA Men's Best player nominee Lionel Messi and Frenkie De Jong are in for Barcelona, while Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, last year's award winner Luka Modric and Eden Hazard all represent Real Madrid.
Of course Messi simply has to make the team for his sublime 51-goal season - and De Jong was excellent for Ajax as they won Eredivisie and reached the Champions League.
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Hazard's inclusion is also understandable given his contributions for Europa League winners last term but the other three seem to just get in by default.
Real finished 19 points behind Barca and crashed out of the Champions League in the round of 16 with neither Ramos, Marcelo or Modric having particularly impressive campaigns.
Messi will almost definitely be joined by fellow nominees Cristiano Ronaldo and Virgil van Dijk in the team - with the latter the favourite to pick up the most coveted award at the event in Italy.
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The 28-year old was absolutely imperious on his way to winning the Champions League with Liverpool and was a worthy recipient of the UEFA Men's Best player award last month.
The best female player, mens and womens coaches and Puskas Award will also be announced at the Scala theatre.
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