Five Croatians Shortlisted for 2018 FIFA Team of the Year

Modrić and Rakitić (Photo: HNS)

FIFA and FIFApro have today announced the 55 candidates for the Team of the Year which will be named at the FIFA The Best ceremony in London later this month. 

After finishing runners-up at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia it is no surprise that five Croatian players have been shortlisted. 

Among the 20 best defenders are Dejan Lovren and Šime Vrsaljko, whilst Luka Modrić and Ivan Rakitić are shortlisted among the top 15 midfielders. 

Mario Mandžukić (HNS)

Mario Mandžukić is the fifth Croatian shortlisted among 15 strikers.

Dejan Lovren and Šime Vrsaljko (HNS)

The 55 candidates for Team of the Year:

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon, Thibaut Courtois, David De Gea, Keylor Navas, Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Defenders: Jordi Alba, Dani Alves, Daniel Carvajal, Giorgio Chiellini, Virgil van Dijk, Diego Godin, Mats Hummels, Joshua Kimmich, Dejan Lovren, Marcelo, Yerry Mina, Benjamin Pavard, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Thiago Silva, Kieran Trippier, Samuel Umtiti, Raphael Varane, Sime Vrsaljko, Kyle Walker.

Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Casemiro, Philippe Coutinho, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Andres Iniesta, Isco, N’Golo Kante, Toni Kroos, Nemanja Matic, Luka Modric, Paul Pogba, Ivan Rakitic, David Silva, Arturo Vidal.

Strikers: Karim Benzema, Edinson Cavani, Paulo Dybala, Antoine Griezmann, Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowski, Romelu Lukaku, Mario Mandzukic, Sadio Mane, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Neymar.

The team will be named on 24 September at FIFA The Best awards in London.