One Croat Nominated for 2013 FIFA World XI

Tattooed Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandžukić is the only Croatian in line to be selected in FIFA’s FIFPro World XI…

FIFA announced yesterday a shortlist of 15 strikers, to complete the list of 55 candidates for the side which will be named at FIFA’s Ballon d’Or award ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich on 13 January 2014. Mandžukić, who is currently out of favour with Munich boss Pep Guardiola and looks like he could be on his way out of the German club, has had a fine 2013. The 27-year-old Slavonksi Brod marskmen is in some good company.

The shortlist
Sergio Agüero (Argentina, Manchester City FC); Mario Balotelli (Italy, Manchester City FC/AC Milan); Edinson Cavani (Uruguay, SSC Napoli/Paris Saint-Germain FC); Diego Costa (Spain, Club Atlético de Madrid); Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid CF); Didier Drogba (Côte d’Ivoire, Shanghai Shenhua FC/Galatasaray SK); Radamel Falcao (Colombia, Club Atlético de Madrid/AS Monaco FC); Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden, Paris Saint-Germain FC); Robert Lewandowski (Poland, Borussia Dortmund); Mario Mandžukić (Croatia, FC Bayern München); Lionel Messi (Argentina, FC Barcelona); Neymar (Brazil, Santos FC/FC Barcelona); Wayne Rooney (England, Manchester United FC); Luis Suárez (Uruguay, Liverpool FC); Robin van Persie (Netherlands, Manchester United FC).