The 26-player shortlist for the FIFPro Men's Team of the Year for 2022 has been released by FIFA, and it includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappe.

After a challenging second half of the season in which he was released by both Manchester United and Portugal and ultimately parted ways with the Red Devils in November, Ronaldo's inclusion was undoubtedly the biggest surprise.

Since 2007, the Portuguese superstar has consistently made the Team of the Year alongside Lionel Messi, but he will face tough competition from attackers Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Robert Lewandowski, and reigning Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema.

Last year, Ronaldo, Haaland, Lewandowski, and Messi were the only four forwards to make the final XI.

🪄 Shortlists for the Men’s and Women’s #World11 have now been revealed.🤩 Who will make the #World11?📅 Find out on 27.02.2023. pic.twitter.com/kpokd1YvRu— FIFPRO (@FIFPRO) February 13, 2023

World Cup stars Jude Bellingham and Enzo Fernandez are named in the shortlist for the first time in midfield, alongside Casemiro, Kevin de Bruyne, Gavi, Luka Modric, Pedri and Federico Valverde.

The defenders nominated are Joao Cancelo, Virgil van Dijk, Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva, Alphonso Davies, Josko Gvardiol, Achraf Hakimi and Theo Hernandez.

The goalkeepers in contention are Alisson Becker, Thibaut Courtois and Emiliano Martinez.