Saliba earns place in FIFA team of the year

Today at 12:29 PM

William Saliba has cemented his status as one of the world’s best defenders after being selected in this year’s The Best FIFA Men’s 11.

The France international earned his spot thanks to standout performances for Arsenal, the Premier League’s meanest defence last season, and for France, whom he helped guide to the semi-finals of the European Championships.

His inclusion in the final XI came through a combination of a public vote and input from an “expert” panel.

David Raya, Gabriel Magalhaes, Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, and Bukayo Saka also made the men’s shortlist. On the women’s side, Mariona Caldentey, Steph Catley, Katie McCabe, and Emily Fox were nominated.

Individually, Raya was up for the Best Men’s Goalkeeper award, eventually won by Emi Martinez (insert eye-roll emoji), while Caldentey was in contention for the Best Women’s Player award, taken by former teammate Aitana Bonmati. Beth Mead also earned a nomination for the Marta Award, recognizing the best goal scored by a women’s team player.

The other big winner of the evening was Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior who was named the men’s player of the year at the Fifa Best Awards.

His success comes a few weeks after a Real Madrid delegation boycotted the Ballon d’Or awards after the Brazil international came second to Manchester City’s Rodri…the type of behaviour that really makes you want to get involved in their latest Super League nonsense.

The Best FIFA Men’s 11

Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
William Saliba (Arsenal)
Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)
Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid)
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
Kroos (Real Madrid)
Rodri (Man City)
Erling Haaland (Man City)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)

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