20 September 2017
Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini and Paulo Dybala are in the reckoning for this year’s World 11 accolade following today’s release of the first shortlist by FIFPro, the international federation for professional footballers, to help decide the strongest starting XI in reference to the 2016/17 season, made up of players across the globe.
Juventus captain Buffon, an ever-present at this stage of the selection process since its first edition in 2005, is joined by Bianconeri team-mates Chiellini and Dybala, both of whom also made last year’s shortlist.
Voting on behalf of FIFPro are more than 60,000 professional footballers spread across 76 different countries. The final XI, which will consist of one goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards, will be announced at ‘The Best’ FIFA Football Awards in London on 23 October 2017.
Both Buffon and Dybala have also been included in the shortlist for "The Best FIFA Men's Player Award 2017."
Congratulations and best of luck to all of the Bianconeri candidates!
