FORMER Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk has made a 55-man shortlist for the coveted FIFPro World XL
The prestigious accolade is bestowed on these players by their fellow professionals with 25,000 footballers voting in 65 separate countries.
It was only a few years ago Virgil was strutting his stuff and making the hard things look easy in the Hoops.
Since leaving the club for Southampton the Dutchman has gone from strength to strength.
Virgil has since become the worlds most expensive defender, been made captain of his national side and played in a Champions League final.
Until this transfer window, Virgil was Celtic’s record transfer sale at £12.5million. Moussa Dembele takes that mantle now, going for a whopping £22million to Lyon.
The Liverpool star finds himself on a list with Ronaldo, Messi and even teammate Salah – not bad company to be in!
Here is the full list of nominees.
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.
Attackers: Karim Benzema, Edinson Cavani, Paulo Dybala, Antoine Griezmann, Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowski, Romelu Lukaku, Mario Mandzukic, Sadio Mane, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mohammed Salah.
The final XI will be revealed on September 24 during the Best Fifa Football Awards.
