Where's Mohamed Salah?! Lionel Messi & Cristiano Ronaldo both shortlisted for FIFPRO Men's World XI but Liverpool talisman a surprise omission from 23-player list

Almost 22,000 men's footballers voted for who should be included on the 23-player shortlist. Players received votes for their performances between December 19, 2022 and August 20, 2023 inclusive. Despite notching 17 goals and 12 assists for Liverpool during that period, Salah did not receive enough votes to make the cut while Messi and Ronaldo did.

Messi's inclusion is questionable, especially when his World Cup triumph with Argentina should not have been taken into consideration by voters. Salah was not the only African player to be snubbed; Victor Osimhen did not receive enough votes despite firing Napoli to a first Scudetto in 33 years as the top scorer in Serie A.

The FIFPRO World XI is the only global football award that is voted for exclusively by footballers. The final XI - comprised of the goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders, three attackers and one extra outfielder with the most votes - will be announced at The Best FIFA Football Awards in London on January 15.

Salah has never been the kind of player to care too much about individual awards. Instead of sulking, he'll be focused on trying to help Egypt win the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 2010. Salah's side will begin their tournament in Ivory Coast on January 14 against Mozambique.