15 MIDFIELDERS HAVE been shortlisted for the FIFA FIFPro World XI with the official team set to be announced in January.

Tens of thousands of professional footballers vote and the most popular midfielders are as follows:

Xabi Alonso (Spain, FC Bayern Munich), Ángel Di Maria (Argentina, Manchester United FC), Cesc Fàbregas (Spain, Chelsea FC), Eden Hazard (Belgium, Chelsea FC), Xavi Hernández (Spain, FC Barcelona), Andrés Iniesta (Spain, FC Barcelona), Toni Kroos (Germany, Real Madrid CF), Luka Modric (Croatia, Real Madrid CF), Mesut Özil (Germany, Arsenal FC), Andrea Pirlo (Italy, Juventus), Paul Pogba (France, Juventus), James Rodríguez (Colombia, Real Madrid CF), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany, FC Bayern Münich), Yaya Touré (Ivory Coast, Manchester City FC), Arturo Vidal (Chile, Juventus)

After a sterling World Cup for Colombia, James Rodriguez makes the shortlist for the first time. Natacha Pisarenko / AP/Press Association Images Natacha Pisarenko / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images

This year sees Di Maria, Kroos, Pogba and Rodriguez make the shortlist for the very first time with Sergio Busquets, Steven Gerrard and Isco dropping off.

Since the introduction of the World XI in 2005, Andrea Pirlo is the only midfielder to make every shortlist.

Which three players would you select?

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