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Bayern Munich are the second most heavily represented club in the nominations for 2017’s FIFA FIFPro World XI alongside Barcelona, which are set to be awarded at the end of October at FIFA’s annual Best FIFA Football Awards in London — only Real Madrid have more nominations (12 in total). Manuel Neuer, Arturo Vidal, Robert Lewandowski, David Alaba, Jerome Boateng, Thiago Alcantara, Mats Hummels, and the now retired Philipp Lahm have all been nominated for their performances in the calendar year of 2017.
The eight are just one shy of 2016's nominations for Bayern, which also included the now retired Xabi Alonso, who ultimately missed out on a midfield spot in the World XI behind the likes of Andres Iniesta, Luka Modric, and Paul Pogba.
Congratulations to our 8️⃣ #FCBayern boys who have been nominated for the @FIFPro #WorldXI! pic.twitter.com/nPJLmP20lI
— FC Bayern US (@FCBayernUS) September 21, 2017
Bayern are no stranger to having large representation in FIFPro’s World XI nominations, but Neuer is the only player that’s been selected for the past four years running (2013-2016). The last time Bayern had more than just Neuer in the World XI was in 2014 when he was selected along with Toni Kroos, Arjen Robben, and Lahm. To give credit where credit is due, too, Frank Ribery was selected in 2013’s best XI, but before that year, no Bayern player had ever been selected for the XI.
Neuer remains the most decorated Bayern player in FIFPro's best XI, but it seems increasingly likely the Lahm will be given the honor for the third time in his career after retiring from professional football with his 21st major trophy. After reaching the 30-goal mark for two consecutive seasons, Lewandowski also poses a threat to respectively join the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as one of the three strikers ultimately selected, as the two have been in the XI every year since 2008.
Regardless of the final selection, having such a large presence in the 55-man shortlist for the FIFPro best XI sets a massive precedent for Bayern moving forward, especially considering how heavily Barcelona and Real Madrid have dominated the ranks since 2005.