Jump directly to the content
MAKES MO SENSE

Mohamed Salah and Thibaut Courtois snubbed for World XI at Fifa awards despite individual successes

Liverpool front man Salah won the Puskas while Courtois was named best goalkeeper

CONFUSION was in the air as the world XI was named at Fifa's big-bash on Monday night.

Not because of the quality of the players, nor how much they deserved to be in the team. But simply because it wasn't in line with the rest of the award winners.

Actor Idris Elba stands with the FIFA team of the year
6
Actor Idris Elba stands with the FIFA team of the yearCredit: AP:Associated Press

Thibaut Courtois was named best goalkeeper in the world, yet David de Gea was between the posts in the world XI.

De Gea wasn't even in the final three for goalkeeper of the year; Courtois beat Hugo Lloris and Kasper Schmeichel.

And then there was the strange case of Mohamed Salah.

The Liverpool superstar was among the three finalists for the main prize of the evening, the men's player of the year - which went to Luka Modric.

Luka Modric beats Mo Salah and Cristiano Ronaldo to win FIFA Best Awards player of the year
FIFA's team of the year - without Thibaut Courtois and Mohamed Salah
6
FIFA's team of the year - without Thibaut Courtois and Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah was a finalist for player of the year
6
Mohamed Salah was a finalist for player of the yearCredit: Getty - Contributor
Thibaut Courtois won best goalkeeper but David de Gea was between the posts for the world XI
6
Thibaut Courtois won best goalkeeper but David de Gea was between the posts for the world XICredit: EPA

LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS

Chelsea dilemma as club face struggle to get rid of £190k-a-week outcast Chilwell
CHILL OUT

Chelsea dilemma as club face struggle to get rid of £190k-a-week outcast Chilwell

Chilling vid shows Nola 'terrorist' ram through barriers before killing 10
NYE NIGHTMARE

Chilling vid shows Nola 'terrorist' ram through barriers before killing 10

Luke Littler vs Nathan Aspinall on NOW after Bunting powers past Wright
WORLD DARTS CHAMPS

Luke Littler vs Nathan Aspinall on NOW after Bunting powers past Wright

Trent Alexander-Arnold set for nine-figure payday if he joins Real Madrid
GOING AL OUT

Trent Alexander-Arnold set for nine-figure payday if he joins Real Madrid

Salah was considered one of the best three players in the world but wasn't in the world XI.

Instead, Eden Hazard, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Cristiano Ronaldo were the attacking force in the so-called best team in the world.

There was plenty of surprise on social media.

One user wrote: "Salah not in team of the year yet was in top 3 for player of year but wins goal of year over [Gareth] Bale's overhead?!"

Big Shaq high fives Mo Salah and Luka Modric as he performs at FIFA Best Awards
Eden Hazard and Kylian Mbappe were in the team of the year, yet Salah wasn't
6
Eden Hazard and Kylian Mbappe were in the team of the year, yet Salah wasn'tCredit: PA:Press Association
De Gea, right, was not even in the final three for best goalkeeper
6
De Gea, right, was not even in the final three for best goalkeeperCredit: EPA

Another said: "Can somebody please explain how Salah gets nominated for player of the year and yet gets left out of team of the year? #The Best"

Meanwhile, Mantra won women's player of the year while Reynald Pedros was named women's coach of the year.

Didier Deschamps beat Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic and Ex-Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane to coach of the year.

And Salah did have one high of the night when he was given the Puskas trophy for best goal.

Mohamed Salah wins FIFA Puskas award for Liverpool goal against Everton

 

YOU MIGHT LIKE
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
MORE FOR YOU