Ronaldo snubbed from IFFHS Team of Year despite scoring most goal in 2023; fans miffed with Messi's inclusion
By Sunita Iyer | First Published Jan 5, 2024, 9:40 PM ISTCristiano Ronaldo was overlooked for inclusion in the IFFHS Team of the Year list, despite having scored the highest number of goals in 2023. Interestingly, his rival, Lionel Messi, secured a spot in the XI, albeit in a position not commonly associated with him.
Cristiano Ronaldo, despite concluding 2023 as the leading goalscorer with an impressive tally of 54 goals in 59 appearances for Portugal and Saudi Pro League's Al-Nassr, has surprisingly not made it into the IFFHS Team of the Year 2023.Β Despite his remarkable goal-scoring performance, the 38-year-old Portuguese legend has been snubbed by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) in their prestigious Team of the Year selection.
In their eleven, the organization opted for Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappe as forwards, overlooking Cristiano Ronaldo. Haaland notably scored 50 goals, contributing significantly to Manchester City's triumphant Treble in 2023. The remarkable achievement included Manchester City securing the Club World Cup title in December under the management of Pep Guardiola.
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PSG talisman Mbappe and Kane, who excelled for both Tottenham and Bayern Munich in 2023, each registered an impressive tally of 52 goals in all competitions. This marks a second instance of snubbing for Ronaldo, as he was also omitted from the IFFHS's list of the top ten footballers of 2023.
Reacting to his exclusion, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, posted several laughing faces on Instagram. Despite Ronaldo's absence, his longtime rival, Lionel Messi, made it to the team. Messi, who secured the Ligue 1 title with PSG before joining MLS side Inter Miami, has been placed in an unusual role.
OFFICIAL: This is the IFFHS Team of the Year 2023! π pic.twitter.com/lMGo3qYwT2
β ππ π ππππ π (@TheEuropeanLad)The record eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is featured in a four-man midfield alongside Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham and Manchester City duo Kevin de Bruyne and Rodri. De Bruyne and Rodri played pivotal roles in the club's successful Treble-winning campaign, contributing significantly to Manchester City's achievements. Bellingham, who made a 113 million pound move from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid in the summer, has been a standout performer for the Spanish club.
The IFFHS-selected team boasts a total of five Manchester City players, with Ederson securing the goalkeeper position and Ruben Dias finding a place in the three-man defense. Completing the defensive lineup are Bayern Munich defenders Kim Min-Jae and Alphonso Davies.
Following this announcement, several Ronaldo fans took to X, formerly Twitter, to react to the legendary Portuguese striker's exclusion. Here's a look at how CR7 fans reacted:
The top scorer of 2023 isn't in the team but with a PR fraud with 1 MLS goal in there.
Tells you everything, doesn't it? https://t.co/VflqaRUYDT
How do you outscore everyone in 2023 and still donβt make team of the year? They really changed the formation to 3-4-3 just to fit in Messi, we cannot compete with this corruption man. https://t.co/k5mB5duZc0
β WolfRMFC (@WolfRMFC)How on earth is IFFHS Top Goal Scorer not in this team but someone who barely even played football this year included ππ https://t.co/m2UVLYRbTw
β RW πΈπͺ (@ronaldowarrior)π¨
The TOP SCORER of 2023 in world football Cristiano Ronaldo is NOT INCLUDED in the IFFHS Menβs World Team Of 2023.
Lionel Messi who hasn't played for months and only has 1 goal in MLS somehow makes it. π
This is what Ronaldo has been up against his whole career. pic.twitter.com/j0p5I0sSPT
Messi has been worse than the average Ligue 1 player and still made it π
β Pasi (@Pasi_9000)Strange choices indeed. Ronaldo's impact on the field is undeniable, regardless of rankings.
β kamran jafar (@Ibnay_japhar)IFFHS gave him worlds best goal scorer but didnβt include him in the team, complete joke
β π΅πΈΨΉΨ§Ψ΅Ω (@__ixmsimo)They literally change formation for him to be there lmao π
β Ben (@BenOfMadrid14)
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