FifPro XI: 11 Players Who Statistically Should Have Been In

Have you ever wondered what the FIFPro XI might have looked like had it been based on stats alone? Players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo had long been ensured of their place in the team which was voted for by International captains, managers and media alike. Messi was joined by team-mates Xavi, Iniesta and Dani Alves after Barcelona won the Spanish League at a canter. Manuel Neuer was, in many's opinion, deservedly the man between the sticks after helping his Bayern side to the first treble won by a German team, along with Philipp Lahm and Franck Ribery, and the team was completed by Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos and PSG men, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva. But would they retain that place if it was based purely on stats so far this season? Could a mid-table La Liga player sneak his way into the mix? Would the winner of the Ballon d'Or keep his position at the top of the pile? Is it plausible that Messi could miss out after an injury hit year? Here, I take a look at a possible World XI based on statistics alone from across Europe's Top 5 leagues. With the Goalkeeper is based on clean sheets, the Defence on tackles and interceptions per game, the Midfield on assists and key passes and the Strike-force on goals and assists, Expect Surprises.