Spanish and European champion Real Madrid is the best represented club with a record 13 names on the international players’ association FifPro’s shortlist of 55 contenders for its World XI Player Awards.

The Galacticos, who won both the La Liga and Champions League titles last season, also held the previous club record of having 12 players on the list in both 2014 and 2015.

Nine Spaniards have made the shortlist, making Spain the most well-represented country, with France and Brazil joint second with seven nominations each.

Portugal and Real Madrid talisman Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon are also included, making them the only two players to make every shortlist since the first World XI in 2005.

Also making the cut are the likes of Lionel Messi, Paul Pogba, Gareth Bale, Paulo Dybala, Kylian Mbappe, Sergio Ramos, Thiago Silva and Harry Hane who is the lone Englishman on the list.

About 25 000 professional footballers took part in the poll, which this year covers performances by players from August to June, aligned with the majority of club competitions. Previous editions covered player performances in a calendar year.

The final World XI will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on October 23.