16/11/2006
How the pros voted? Today: England
The team that got the most votes among the professional footballers in England is different in no less than three instances than the full result. In all cases, it concerns English players who, according to the pros in England, should have been included in the FIFPro World XI.
In defence, Ashley Cole was favoured above Lilian Thuram and, in midfield, Steven Gerrard displaced the Brazilian Kaká. Overall, the English prefer Wayne Rooney to Samuel Eto’o up front.
However, they also had a critical perspective on the English players. Strikingly, Frank Lampard received fewer votes in his own country than in other countries. His mediocre showing at the World Cup clearly counted heavily against him. David Beckham was also out of the reckoning for the FIFPro World XI.
As for the FIFPro World Player of the Year, the English pros agreed with the vast majority that the title belonged to Ronaldinho.
