In this Sept. 23, 2014, file photo Real’s Cristiano Ronaldo holds the ball as he celebrates his four goals during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Elche at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain. Ronaldo is one of the three finalists for the Ballon d’Or, the FIFA World Player of the Year award. AP PHOTO/ANDRES KUDACKI
ZURICH—All three players shortlisted for the FIFA Ballon d’Or award were selected by their peers for the 2014 FIFPro World XI team.
Lionel Messi, Manuel Neuer and Cristiano Ronaldo were among seven 2013 team members who retained their places in worldwide voting by 23,000 members of national players’ unions.
Germany’s World Cup-winning captain Philipp Lahm, Brazil captain Thiago Silva, and Spain pair Sergio Ramos and Andres Iniesta also stayed in the elite lineup.
David Luiz was included in the defense despite playing in Brazil’s 7-1 loss to Germany in the World Cup semifinals, and 3-0 defeat to the Netherlands in the third-place match.
Arjen Robben was the only Dutch player picked, and Angel Di Maria joined Argentina teammate Messi.
Toni Kroos is the third Germany player selected.