Ronaldo out of FIFA World XI for first time since 2006

It's times of change in world football. Cristiano Ronaldo left the big leagues for an exotic adventure at Al Nassr after his second spell at Manchester United didn't work out. In turn, he went down a level from the sport's top, meaning he was left out of FIFA's World XI at the gala of The Best awards for the first time since 2006.

This year, the eleven were Courtois; Joao Cancelo, Virgil van Dijk, Achraf Hakimi; Luka Modric, Casemiro, Kevin de Bruyne; Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe. Despite four attackers being named, the Portuguese man didn't appear alongside them after he had for the last 15 editions. His arch rival Messi, however, didn't remain among the FIFPro's list of the best.

Before the Portuguese man started to appear in the XI's in 2007, he was already showing his face in this type of event. In 2005 and 2006, he won the fans' young player award, already setting his name down as the legend he was going to become. Those years, officially the best in the world were Ronaldinho (2005) and Fabio Cannavaro (2006).

Cristiano Ronaldo's continued prescence in FIFA's ideal 11 this century is of great pride for Portugal. Apart from him, only modern talents Ruben Dias and Joao Cancelo have appeared in the list. Now the ex-Real Madrid man seems to have taken a step to one side, it may be the moment for new stars in his country to take the baton.