Real Madrid sprung a surprise at the Ballon d’Or ceremony with no less than four players making the FIFPro World XI – the same number as treble winners Barcelona.
The Spanish club finished 2015 empty-handed, after ending the Liga season runners-up to the Blaugrana and going out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage.
But that did not stop a quartet of Blancos stars making the cut among the best 11 players in the world over the last 12 months.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric and Marcelo were included in the team, which appeared together in Zurich with the exception of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who did not attend the ceremony.
Barcelona, meanwhile, contribute Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, Neymar, Andres Iniesta and Dani Alves to the side, meaning eight of the 10 outfield players come from the two Spanish giants.
Juventus’ sole representative is Paul Pogba, while Paris Saint-Germain’s Thiago Silva enters at centre-back.
FIFPro World XI 2015:
Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Dani Alves (Barcelona), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Neymar (Barcelona).
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