In a development that has sent shockwaves through the football community, FIFPRO has unveiled its World XI shortlist, and two of Africa's biggest football stars are conspicuously absent from the elite selection.
African Superstars Face Surprising Exclusion
The football world is buzzing with reactions after Victor Osimhen, Nigeria's sensational striker, and Mohamed Salah, Egypt's legendary forward, were both omitted from FIFPRO's prestigious World XI nominations. This surprising exclusion comes despite both players delivering exceptional performances throughout the season.
Osimhen's Stellar Season Overlooked
Victor Osimhen, who played a pivotal role in Napoli's historic Serie A triumph last season, continued to demonstrate why he's considered one of the world's most dangerous attackers. The Nigerian international's goal-scoring prowess and consistent performances had many expecting to see his name among the world's elite.
Osimhen's remarkable contributions included crucial goals in both domestic and European competitions, making his absence from the shortlist particularly puzzling to football analysts and fans alike.
Salah's Consistent Excellence Ignored
Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah maintained his status as one of the Premier League's most reliable performers. The Egyptian king continued to break records and deliver match-winning performances for Liverpool, yet found himself missing from the prestigious list.
Salah's exclusion is especially surprising given his consistent world-class performances and significant impact on Liverpool's campaign across multiple competitions.
African Representation in World XI
The only African player to make the cut was Morocco's Achraf Hakimi, who earned his place among the world's best defenders. Hakimi's inclusion provides some African representation, but the absence of two of the continent's biggest stars has raised questions about the selection criteria.
Football enthusiasts across Africa have taken to social media to express their disappointment, with many arguing that both Osimhen and Salah deserved recognition for their outstanding contributions to the sport.
Global Reaction and Analysis
Football pundits worldwide are analyzing the selections, with many suggesting that the snub reflects ongoing challenges African players face in receiving global recognition commensurate with their talents and achievements.
The final World XI team will be selected from the shortlist by fellow professional footballers worldwide, making the exclusion of Osimhen and Salah from even the preliminary list particularly noteworthy.
