FIFA have announced their World XI, but not a single player outside the La Liga was in the final team. The team was dominated by Barcelona and Real Madrid players with the exception of Atletico Madrid forward Radamel Falcao.
Surprisingly there was not even a single Chelsea player on the list even though they won the Champions League last season. Another noticeable absentee was Manchester United striker Robin van Persie, who was exceptional for Arsenal last year and has been in sublime form for the Red Devils this season.
Several other leagues had players definitely worthy of selection for the World Team of the Year, and many can rightly feel robbed by their snubbing. The likes of Philip Lahm, Manuel Neuer, Didier Drogba, Vincet Kompany and Andrea Pirlo had brilliant previous seasons for their respective teams.
Some of the selections are obvious choices, though the inclusion of Barcelona defender Gerard Pique who missed half the season due to injury and was below average in the other half, ahead of Kompany was puzzling. Kompany led his team to a historic Premier League title in 2012 and was the Premier League's Player of the Year, yet didn't get into the team.
Other choices that raise eyebrows are the inclusion of Dani Alves and Xabi Alonso. Serie A champions Juventus went unbeaten in their league last season and Pirlo was arguably their most valuable player. He also led the Italian national side all the way to the final of the 2012 European championships but was still ignored.
Another absentee was young German Mario Gotze, who was one of the finest player for Dortmund in their double-winning season. He has been tremendous this season as well and have helped the German champions top the Group of Death ahead of Real Madrid, Ajax and Manchester City in Champions League.
RVP also had a fair case here, though you cannot argue with the inclusion of Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
Though it's hard to keep Radamel Falcao out of the team, the Dutch striker can feel very hard done by in his snubbing for a spot in the World Team of the Year. The 29-year-old single-handedly carried Arsenal into the top four last year, notching up the most goals by any player in the league, and is in the process of repeating his heroics this season as well for Manchester United. He is the current top scorer in the EPL.
Falcao deserves his spot but whether he deserves it more than Van Persie seems is a question here. Though Falcao won the Europa League with Atletico Madrid, seeing what the Dutchman has done at two clubs in 2012 he should just have edged the Colombian striker.
Here is the original FIFA World XI: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Xavi (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Radamel Falca (Atletico Madrid).
Here is IBNLive's World XI: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Vincet Kompany (Manchester City), Matt Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), Xavi (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Robin van Persie (Manchester United).
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