Ronaldo: Fans react as 2023's top scorer is omitted from IFFHS Men's World Team

Sections of football fans have protested the IFFHS’s picks for the Men's World Team as there was a noticeable absentee - Cristiano Ronaldo.

Despite going on 39 years, the veteran has shown he is still one of the best marksmen in world football, emerging as the top scorer for 2023 with 54 goals.

The Portuguese superstar has been a revelation for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and his goals this season have helped the club remain competitive in the hunt for a league title.

The Saudi Pro League side currently sit seven points behind league leaders, Al-Hilal.

More recently, Ronaldo’s exploits in front of goal saw him beat top marksmen like Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland and could see him rewarded at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is in the running to win several accolades such as Best Men’s Player, Best Middle East Player, and Fans’ Favourite Player at the gala, which is set to take place on January 19 at Atlantis, The Palm.

IFFHS releases Men's World Team list

Despite the individual success enjoyed in 2023, there was no room for Ronaldo in IFFHS's books. The Men’s World Team looks like this, according to the body’s official website:

Goalkeeper:N/b> Ederson

Defence: Ruben Dias, Kim Min Jae, Alphonso Davies

Midfield/Attack: Rodri, Jude Bellingham, Kevin de Bruyne, Lionel Messi

Forwards: Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane.

Ronaldo fans upset by IFFHS omission

Some are in disbelief that Ronaldo’s prowess in front of goal was not enough to earn him a place in the starting XI of the world’s best player.

There is speculation that perhaps the veteran was omitted because he does not play in Europe’s top five leagues. However, this argument has some double standards since Messi plies his trade in the MLS in America.

@thesolpaperhand said:

"This is why no one rates Messi's accolades."
@Wild_mikeee added:

"The way this guy gets favoured every time irritates me"
@slandyqueefin said:

"Even as a Messi fan myself he doesn't deserve to be there tbh"

As reported by Marca, Ronaldo recently reacted to being left out of the top 10 football players of 2023 with laughing emojis, a strong indication that he did not rate the rankings very highly.